Not today! PSVs blocked from Nairobi CBD

Police on Wednesday mounted roadblocks on several key roads leading to the city centre, with public service vehicles denied entry into the CBD.

Many commuters were forced to complete the remainder of their journey on foot.

"We have been told that the town is out of bounds for public vehicles, so we have to walk to work," one commuter told The Star at Westlands.

Private cars were subjected to thorough security screening before being allowed entry into the CBD ahead of the youth-led demonstration.

Armed, uniformed police officers were heavily deployed to man the checkpoints and keep protesters out of the city.

Along Thika Road, a roadblock was erected near Guru Nanak Hospital, and PSV vehicles were redirected to Juja Road.

At Waiyaki Way, public service vehicles were terminating at the Westlands Roundabout, with passengers walking into town.

The security measures, which began early Wednesday according to police sources, are intended to thwart what authorities fear could turn into chaotic scenes—similar to last year’s unrest, when thousands of youths stormed Parliament, catching the security apparatus flat-footed.

Along Jogoo Road, there was no vehicle access past the Makongeni Roundabout, and even private vehicles were being diverted.

A similar situation was observed along Mombasa Road and Ngong Road, where commuters were forced to walk all the way into town.