There was chaos in a section of roads in Kikuyu, Kiambu County ahead of a planned rally by DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and his team.
Police used teargas canisters and live bullets to dispersed suspected hired groups that had blocked roads in the area on Saturday morning enabling traffic to flow.
The groups had lit bonfires and used stones to block roads there saying they did not want the rally to continue.
Police and witnesses said traffic chaos gripped parts of the on Saturday morning after the suspected goons blocked sections of the Southern Bypass, paralysing movement and sparking fear among motorists.
Gachagua had informed police of the planned rally. Area MP Kimani Ichungwah too wrote to police authorities complaining there were plans to cause chaos there.
The disruption was reported at Thogoto and Gitaru, where the attackers lit bonfires using tyres and positioned two trailers across the road, effectively sealing off the busy highway.
The blockade brought traffic to a standstill, severely affecting movement to and from Kikuyu.
Witnesses said some motorists and pedestrians were attacked as the situation escalated, forcing many to turn back or seek alternative routes.
The Southern Bypass is a critical link for traffic connecting western parts of Nairobi to areas such as Kikuyu and beyond, and the closure caused widespread gridlock on feeder roads.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions between Rigathi Gachagua and Kimani Ichung’wah, although it remains unclear who is behind the disruption.
Security agencies moved in to restore order and reopen the roads amid tensions.
Motorists were advised to be cautious the affected sections.
More police were sent to the area for order.
Gachagua had written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, requesting enhanced security ahead of a planned public rally in Kikuyu town on Saturday, April 11, citing fears of a possible disruption targeting the event.
He said there was a plan to deploy individuals to disrupt the meeting, cause chaos and prevent the rally from proceeding as scheduled.
“The organised goons are to create mayhem, vandalise people’s businesses, attack targeted establishments to trigger the police, who will join in by using teargas,” a part of his letter claims.
Gachagua claimed that a meeting was held in Limuru on Thursday, where the alleged plan was conceived.
He alleged that the plan includes blocking major roads leading in and out of Kikuyu town, with the intention of restricting access to the venue and exposing his convoy to possible attacks.
According to him, the alleged strategy involves positioning heavy vehicles along key highways under the pretext of mechanical breakdowns, effectively stalling movement and disrupting logistics for the rally.
Gachagua sought to distance his party from the alleged planned violence, as well as from any incidents during past public engagements, pointing to what he described as peaceful political visits across the country, the most recent being in Kiambu County.
He cited earlier outings, including visits to Kamwangi and Gatukuyu shopping centres in Gakoe, Gatundu North constituency on Sunday, April 5; Darasha and Juja Town in Maraba, Juja constituency on Saturday, April 4; a visit to Wangige town in Kabete constituency on Monday, March 23; and another engagement in Githunguri Town, Githunguri constituency on Saturday, March 21.
“All these meetings were peaceful and orderly. What makes Kikuyu Town special and predisposed to violence?” he posed.
Police patrolled the area ahead of the rallies.
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