Chaos erupted along Jogoo Road on Monday, November 3, after residents of Makongeni estate took to the streets to protest planned evictions by the Nairobi City County.
The demonstrations brought traffic to a complete halt as protesters lit bonfires and blocked vehicles from accessing the busy road.
Videos shared online showed thick smoke billowing from burning tires, with motorists stranded for hours near City Stadium.
According to reports, the residents were demonstrating against the government’s decision to demolish their homes to make way for an affordable housing project.
Road safety advocacy group Sikika Road Safety warned that some youths had turned the protests violent, attacking and robbing motorists stuck in traffic. “Avoid Jogoo Road towards City Stadium; people are breaking car windows using stones and robbing motorists. National Police Service, a serious backup is needed,” the group cautioned on social media.
Police officers were later deployed to disperse the crowd and restore order, though tensions remained high throughout the afternoon.
This is not the first time Makongeni residents have resisted the planned demolitions. In July, they held similar demonstrations after waking up to find government officials conducting an enumeration exercise without prior notice.
Residents claimed they were not properly informed about relocation or compensation plans. Some said they had only heard rumours of a Ksh150,000 payout, which they argued was insufficient to cover rent in Nairobi.
Many of the residents are descendants of former Kenya Railways Corporation employees and have lived in Makongeni for decades. The Makongeni Residents Association has accused the county government of ignoring their concerns and failing to involve them in decision-making.
As police continue to patrol the area, fears of renewed clashes persist amid growing calls for dialogue between the government and affected families.
By Nairobi