Tuesday saw an escalation of tension in Mlolongo town and surrounding areas as anti-government demonstrations descended into chaos, with streets overrun by protesters clashing with police.
The demonstrations, part of a larger wave of national unrest, brought life to a standstill and left a trail of destruction in their wake.
The trouble began around midday when hundreds of demonstrators flooded the usually bustling Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, effectively crippling transport and forcing motorists to seek alternative routes. Protesters erected barricades using stones and set tires ablaze, creating a hazardous and volatile environment.
Eyewitnesses reported that the confrontation between demonstrators and police turned the stretch between Gateway Mall in Syokimau and Signature Mall in Sabaki into a virtual battleground. The police struggled to disperse the protesters, who were determined to make their voices heard.
The unrest quickly spread into Mlolongo town, where suspected hired thugs exploited the situation, targeting businesses and residents. Several traders suffered significant losses as their shops were broken into and looted.
Witnesses described seeing refrigerators smashed and bottles of soda stolen in a spree of vandalism that left the town’s business community in shock. Glass windows of several buildings were shattered, adding to the day’s toll of property damage.
Motorists caught in the chaos described harrowing encounters, with many claiming they were harassed and robbed of valuables including mobile phones and cash.
Adding to the fear and confusion, some demonstrators attempted to breach the Nairobi Expressway, only to be repelled by a robust police response.
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