Police on Saturday morning restored order along sections of the Southern Bypass and nearby roads in Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County, after a group of individuals blocked the highway ahead of a planned rally by DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.
The disruption, reported at Thogoto and Gitaru, saw the group light bonfires using tyres and place trailers across the road, paralysing traffic along the busy route. The incident caused significant delays for motorists travelling to and from Nairobi’s western corridor, with some forced to turn back or seek alternative routes.
Witnesses described heavy congestion spilling over to feeder roads as movement was temporarily brought to a standstill.
Security agencies were deployed to the scene and managed to clear the obstruction, allowing traffic to resume.
“There were a few people who blocked the road, and we have managed to clear them now. The traffic is flowing even as we monitor the situation,” the officer said.
The Southern Bypass, a key transport corridor linking Nairobi’s western suburbs to Kikuyu and beyond, experienced notable delays during the incident.
Police have since urged motorists to remain cautious as officers continue to monitor the affected areas and conduct investigations.
The disruption came just hours after Gachagua wrote to the Inspector General of Police requesting enhanced security ahead of the rally, citing fears of possible interference.
In the letter, the former Deputy President alleged there was a plan to deploy individuals to disrupt the meeting, cause chaos and prevent the rally from proceeding as scheduled.
He claimed the plan involved blocking major roads leading in and out of Kikuyu town using heavy vehicles staged under the pretext of mechanical breakdowns, as well as targeting participants and nearby businesses to provoke a security response.
Gachagua, however, distanced his party from any planned violence or previous incidents during political gatherings, maintaining that his recent engagements across the country have remained peaceful.
