Chaos broke out on Thursday afternoon along Mombasa Road after rival groups of youths engaged in violent clashes during the homecoming of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua.
The tension started around the Cabanas area, close to the Airport North Road junction, where two groups of youths began hurling stones at each other. The violence quickly spilled onto the busy highway, disrupting both traffic and the convoy of Gachagua, who was on his way to Kamukunji for a rally.
Videos and photos seen by Newshub.co.ke captured shocking scenes of the youths pelting stones at vehicles within Gachagua’s entourage. The convoy was forced to slow down as drivers tried to navigate through the violent confrontation.
Some cars were seen swerving to avoid being hit, while others had to stop altogether as the clashes intensified.
To make matters worse, the rival groups barricaded sections of the road with large stones and boulders.
The blockade brought traffic to a standstill and created a dangerous environment for motorists and pedestrians caught in the middle of the chaos.
The obstruction also delayed Gachagua’s movement to Kamukunji, where hundreds of his supporters were waiting for him to address a political rally.
Eyewitnesses told Newshub.co.ke that the rowdy youths arrived in groups riding on motorbikes, some waving party colors, while others openly carried stones in their hands.
Despite a heavy police presence in the area earlier in the day, officers did not immediately intervene when the violence erupted. For several minutes, the situation escalated unchecked, with the rival groups clashing openly on the busy highway.
Police Response
Moments later, police officers were seen moving in to try and contain the situation. Some officers attempted to block the motorbike-riding youths, while others were seen dispersing groups that had barricaded the road. However, by then, the clashes had already caused widespread panic and damage.
Gachagua’s Safety Concerns
At one point, Deputy Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua, who had been waving to supporters from the sunroof of his vehicle, was forced to retreat back inside his car for his own safety. The crowd of youths had grown too aggressive, and his security detail quickly shielded him as stones continued to fly in the direction of his convoy.
Earlier in the day, when Gachagua arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), he had briefly emerged through the roof of his vehicle to acknowledge supporters. However, airport security officers had advised him to step back inside, citing heightened tensions around the airport area.
Journalists Under Attack
The violent scenes also targeted members of the media who had been covering Gachagua’s procession. Journalists from the Standard Group and Royal Media Services were attacked while on duty along Mombasa Road.
One of the media company vehicles was damaged as the clashes turned chaotic, leaving reporters shaken and struggling to continue their work.
Traffic Disruption and Motorist Alternatives
While the fracas disrupted lanes used by Gachagua’s supporters heading towards the city, traffic on the opposite side of Mombasa Road, particularly for motorists heading towards Athi River and Kitengela, remained largely unaffected. Vehicles moved steadily on that lane, offering some relief for drivers not caught up in the violence.
For those travelling to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and nearby areas, the Nairobi Expressway became the main alternative route.
Many motorists opted to pay for the faster road to escape the heavy congestion and violent clashes taking place on the ground lanes of Mombasa Road.
— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) August 21, 2025
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