•The matatu operators are protesting the removal of a bus stop at the Westlands roundabout.
•Police lobbed teargas to disperse the protesting Matatu crew on Waiyaki Way
There was a major traffic snarl-up on Waiyaki Way in Nairobi on Thursday after a section of matatu operators blocked the road in protest.
Police and GSU officers were forced to lob teargas to disperse the crowd that had gathered around Westlands roundabout.
The matatu crew was protesting the removal of a bus station around the Westlands roundabout that was recently closed.
Operators staged a protest, blocking both sides of the road, and disrupting traffic flow during the Thursday morning incident.
07:23 @CondaNaDere Things are not looking good for commuters using Waiyaki way. Matatus have blocked both sides at wetlands roundabout protesting removal of the stage to give way for Express way users pic.twitter.com/OjjmqLpQJX via @whyaki
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) May 19, 2022
Commuters who were caught up in the early morning traffic were forced to walk long distances to their destination following the disruptions.
Videos and photos showed irritated motorists and passengers stuck on one of the city's main highways as police advised motorists to use alternative routes.
"A strike by matatu operators on Waiyaki Way demanding designated bus stops on the route is causing major traffic snarl-up stretching to CBD and Kangemi. Cops at the site but advising motorists to avoid route for now, " said Cyrus Ombati on Twitter.
"There is a mad Traffic along Waiyaki way. Between Cooperation and Westlands it took me 2 hours. I'm now heading towards Kangemi to connect via James Gichuru- Lavington to town!" another Kenyan lamented.
09:29 Waiyaki way, Westlands and parklands roads are all messed up. Jam locked!
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) May 19, 2022
Pedestrians have been given 1st priority on Kenyan roads. Roads in kenya are build for CARS not people on foot.
When u remove that Westlands stage,wher https://t.co/13jeEkcQj7 via @Buliba_
08:29 Drama along waiyaki way. Teargas canisters being fired all ivery pic.twitter.com/vBHO4aqcu8 via @Stiffle21721110
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) May 19, 2022
Matatus have blockaded roads at Westlands (the mall roundabout) on all sides... use alternative routes... pic.twitter.com/z6yAsvjZ5N
— seth olale (@SethOlale) May 19, 2022