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New details link Thika Road goon attack to demolition protests
04th July, 2026 08:18 PM
Fresh details have emerged indicating that the protests that brought traffic to a standstill along Thika Road in Pangani on Friday morning, July 3, 2026, were triggered by a demolition exercise that left several families homeless.
This comes after traffic along Thika Road was brought to a standstill on Friday, July 3, 2026, as a group of people blocked sections of the highway, disrupting transport and sparking fears among motorists.
The demonstrations disrupted the busy highway during the morning rush hour as residents blocked sections of the road, forcing motorists to endure long traffic snarl-ups while police moved in to restore order.
“The chief has been telling us to relocate even though we have lived here for years. Since January, they have been sending people to threaten us, steal from us and destroy our shops,” one of the protesters said.
According to one of the affected people, they were caught by surprise when the operation began at dawn after a group of armed youth and police officers stormed their homes.
“We were shocked to be woken up by a group of armed youth and police officers. Many people were injured during the operation,” the resident said.
Friday attack
In a video seen by K24 Digital, several vehicles and motorists were seen stranded in heavy traffic near the Pangani footbridge after the group blocked the busy road.
The footage showed traffic stretching along the highway as private vehicles, public service vehicles and other motorists remained at a standstill.
Some road users were seen waiting for the situation to clear before proceeding with their journeys.
The incident caused significant disruption to traffic flow on one of Nairobi’s busiest highways, with commuters experiencing delays during the blockade.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are not yet clear, and it is not known what prompted the suspected goons to block the road.
Thika Road traffic
The latest incident comes days after traffic along Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road was brought to a standstill on Friday, June 26, 2026, after suspected goons staged demonstrations around Kiamaiko Bridge and the Kariobangi Roundabout, disrupting movement and targeting motorists.
Witnesses said the group barricaded sections of the road, robbed motorists and passengers, and pelted moving vehicles with stones, forcing many drivers to abandon the route.
Several motorists warned others to avoid the area, particularly those travelling from the Nairobi CBD, Thika Road, and Outering Road towards Kariobangi, Kiamaiko, and Allsops.
“If you are coming from town, Thika Road or Outering Road, Kiamaiko Bridge and Huruma Mosque are a no-go zone. Be alert and extra careful,” one motorist cautioned as the situation unfolded.
“As of now, avoid Outering Road at the Kariobangi Roundabout. Suspected goons are demonstrating, robbing motorists, and pelting vehicles with projectiles. The National Police Service urgently needs to deploy additional officers to the area,” road safety lobby group Sikika Road Safety said.
