Commuters stranded as police seal off sections of Thika Superhighway

Motorists and passengers travelling along the Thika Superhighway experienced major disruptions on Thursday morning after anti-riot police mounted roadblocks at several points leading into Nairobi ahead of the planned June 25 demonstrations.

Traffic built up on sections of the highway as vehicles queued for long distances, with movement slowing significantly as police intensified security checks along the route.

Some motorists were turned back while others remained stranded as officers restricted access at key entry points into the city.

Videos from the affected areas showed hundreds of passengers and pedestrians gathered along the roadside after being forced to disembark from public service vehicles.

Many were seen walking on foot towards their destinations as transport services struggled to navigate the restrictions.

The footage also showed long lines of vehicles, including private cars, matatus, lorries and fuel tankers, stretching across multiple lanes of the highway. 

The situation left many commuters stranded, with some waiting by the roadside while others opted to continue their journeys on foot.

The disruptions come amid heightened security measures ahead of demonstrations planned to commemorate the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests.