Residents were left shocked after a man who had caused a major traffic snarl-up by sitting on a busy road, drinking tea, and reading a newspaper was finally arrested.
The bizarre incident, which had gone viral on social media after photos and videos surfaced, happened earlier this week and has now led to a six-month jail sentence for the man.
According to witnesses, the man walked onto the road during rush hour, sat in the middle of the tarmac, and calmly placed a flask of tea, a cup, and a folded newspaper beside him.
He then started sipping tea while reading as vehicles lined up in a long queue behind him.
Motorists were forced to stop as they could not move past him without risking running him over.
Some tried to plead with him to leave the road, but he ignored them and continued with his morning routine as if nothing was wrong.
Traffic police officers were called to the scene after the jam stretched for several kilometers. Upon arrival, they tried to convince the man to leave peacefully, but he allegedly refused, insisting he had a right to enjoy his tea where he wished.
The officers eventually removed him from the road and took him to the police station, where he was charged with intentionally obstructing traffic and causing public inconvenience.
In court, the prosecution argued that his actions were reckless and endangered not only his life but also the lives of motorists and passengers.
The magistrate agreed, saying the road was not a place for leisure activities and that such behavior could encourage others to repeat it, putting more people at risk.
The man was sentenced to six months in jail without an option of a fine. The court said the sentence would serve as a warning to others who might think of causing unnecessary traffic disruptions.
Residents expressed mixed reactions. Some said the punishment was too harsh, while others felt it was necessary to deter similar incidents in the future.
Authorities have urged the public to use designated recreational spaces and avoid blocking roads, which are meant for vehicles and not for leisure activities.
By Kenyans