Tension gripped Githurai along Thika Road after a vehicle reportedly carrying UDA-branded campaign materials was set ablaze by angry protesters as demonstrations in the area escalated.
The dramatic incident unfolded amid growing unrest linked to the ongoing anti-fuel price protests that have spread across several parts of the country.
Witnesses said the vehicle was intercepted by a charged crowd before it was engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and causing panic among motorists and traders nearby.
Videos and photos circulating online showed the burning vehicle surrounded by groups of demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans as traffic along the busy highway came to a near standstill.
According to eyewitnesses, the protesters accused the government of ignoring the struggles facing ordinary Kenyans, including the rising cost of fuel and the increasing cost of living.
Some demonstrators allegedly targeted anything associated with the ruling party as frustrations boiled over.
Police officers were later deployed to the scene in an attempt to disperse the crowd and restore calm.
Running battles between protesters and anti-riot police were also reported in sections of Githurai and neighboring areas, with motorists forced to seek alternative routes to avoid the chaos.
Business operations in parts of Githurai were temporarily disrupted as traders closed shops over fears of looting and violence.
Public transport was also affected, with several matatus avoiding the area due to security concerns.
The latest incident adds to the growing wave of unrest being witnessed in different towns as demonstrations over fuel prices and the high cost of living continue to gain momentum.
Authorities had not yet issued an official statement regarding the ownership of the vehicle or the extent of the damage by the time of publication.