Chaos erupted along Jogoo Road in Nairobi on Monday morning after Makongeni residents staged protests against planned evictions to pave the way for an affordable housing project.
Traffic along the busy highway came to a halt as angry residents lit bonfires and barricaded the road, leaving motorists stranded for hours. Videos circulating online showed burning tyres and thick plumes of smoke rising near City Stadium.
According to eyewitnesses, police officers were deployed to disperse the demonstrators, while reports indicated that opportunistic youth took advantage of the chaos to harass and rob trapped motorists. Road safety group Sikika warned drivers to avoid the area, saying some vehicles had been stoned during the unrest.
This marks the second protest in four months by the residents, who have repeatedly opposed the planned demolitions. In July, they accused authorities of conducting a rushed and opaque eviction process without proper consultation or relocation plans.
Residents, many of whom are descendants of former Kenya Railways Corporation employees, claim they were blindsided by government officials conducting a household enumeration exercise. They allege that no clear compensation plan has been provided.
“We woke up to find officials counting our homes without notice. They say we’ll be compensated, but no figures have been shared,” said one resident.
The Makongeni Residents Association has since called on the government to halt demolitions and engage locals in meaningful dialogue before proceeding with the housing project.
