News18 May 2026 - 15:18

Police escort motorists caught in anti-fuel hike protests on Namanga Road

Police donned in anti-riot gear, moved in hours after protesters blocked the busy Namanga Rd

by GEORGE OWITI

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Motorists trapped in violent anti-fuel hike protests along Namanga Road were on Monday escorted by heavily armed police officers after demonstrators barricaded key sections of the highway in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

The officers, donned in anti-riot gear, moved in hours after protesters blocked the busy road, triggering chaos and disrupting transport between Kenya and Tanzania.

Among the vehicles caught up in the standoff were several bearing Tanzanian registration numbers and headed for the neighbouring country.

A police truck led a convoy of about 30 vehicles through the tense route as officers cleared stones and other barriers placed on the highway by protesters. A police Land Cruiser followed the convoy from a distance as security teams struggled to regain control of the situation.

Despite the intervention, running battles between police and protesters continued in parts of Kitengela, with officers firing teargas canisters while demonstrators hurled stones back at them.

The protests brought business activities in Kitengela Township to a standstill, with shops and businesses remaining closed amid fears of more violence.

A Coca-Cola depot in Kitengela was vandalised during the demonstrations, while Jiji Mart Supermarket was broken into and looted.

Police said other sections of Namanga Road blocked by protesters included the Hola and Yukos areas.

Some motorists were also reportedly robbed in the melee before police managed to clear sections of the road.

More to follow...