Protests in Kitengela, Kajiado County, escalated into chaos on Wednesday mid-morning as demonstrators clashed with anti-riot police along the busy Namanga Road.
The protests—part of nationwide demonstrations spearheaded by Gen Z and other civic groups—saw protesters barricade the highway with stones, set tyres ablaze, and chant anti-government slogans. Police responded with teargas, triggering running battles that disrupted normalcy in the town for over two hours.
Businesses were shuttered, and public service vehicles withdrew from the roads. Kitengela Bus Stage, usually a hive of activity, stood deserted, with only a few tuk-tuks and boda bodas seen idling nearby. Most employers in the area reportedly released staff early amid growing unrest.
Police helicopters hovered above the town, providing aerial surveillance, as several police Land Cruisers and unmarked Subarus linked to DCI patrol units canvassed the streets. Protesters sporadically hurled stones at the officers during the confrontations.
The unrest wasn’t limited to Kitengela. In Mlolongo and Machakos town, a heavy police presence was reported along the Nairobi Expressway and the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway. Government installations in the region were reinforced with extra security.
The tension led to a spike in commuter fares, with matatus charging up to KSh 400 between Mlolongo and Machakos—nearly triple the normal rate—before pulling off the roads entirely.
While Machakos town remained largely calm by mid-morning, anxiety lingered as residents braced for possible spillovers from other flashpoints. Protesters vowed to maintain pressure until their demands—including rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 and action against corruption—are met.
Security remains tight across the region.
