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Running battles erupt in Githurai as police clash with protesting residents
19th May, 2026 12:52 PM
Running battles broke out in Githurai on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as police clashed with protesting residents during the second day of nationwide demonstrations linked to rising fuel prices and the ongoing matatu strike.
Anti-riot police deployed water cannons to disperse crowds that had gathered near the busy Githurai roundabout, as protesters blocked roads and engaged officers in chaotic confrontations.
Videos and images circulating online showed groups of young people clashing with police as officers used water cannons to restore order in parts of the area.
The unrest caused major disruption along the Thika Superhighway, with businesses remaining closed and commuters stranded after matatus stayed off the roads for a second consecutive day.
Parts of the Githurai flyover also experienced chaos on, with tensions spilling over into the structure as police and protesters clashed nearby.
Githurai’s history of unrest
Githurai, however, is no stranger to unrest. The same roundabout area was busy on Monday, May 18, 2026, when chaos broke out as protesters set a vehicle on fire along the Thika Superhighway during demonstrations linked to the nationwide matatu strike.
Videos circulating online showed thick black smoke billowing into the air as angry youths barricaded roads using stones, tyres, and debris, turning one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors into a near ghost road.
Other clips shared across social media platforms captured stranded commuters trekking for kilometres while motorists made abrupt U-turns to escape the unrest.
By mid-morning, movement around Githurai 45 had almost ground to a halt, with commuters left stranded at bus stages as transport services remained paralysed.
Nationwide strike impact
The protests erupted as the country woke up to a major transport shutdown organised by public transport operators over rising fuel prices that have left both operators and ordinary wananchi struggling financially.
In Githurai, the demonstrations quickly escalated from chants and road blockades into running battles, with witnesses reporting tension spreading across sections of the highway linking Nairobi to Kiambu and Murang’a counties.
By Tuesday morning, despite a slightly calmer scene compared to Monday, the impact of the strike was still being felt across Nairobi and other major towns, with commuters forced to walk long distances and businesses counting losses.
Author
William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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