Heavy traffic was observed on Nairobi’s Ngong Road on Thursday morning due to a protest by matatu operators against police brutality.

The matatu owners blocked the Junction Mall Roundabout, causing a significant traffic jam that disrupted other road users.

Why matatu operators accused police officers

The operators accused police officers of extortion, claiming they are forced to pay bribes up to five times a day.

Ngong Road, a major highway connecting Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to Ngong Town in Kajiado County, became the focal point of the protest.

As the situation unfolded, police attempted to manage the angry protesters and restore order along the busy road.

Motorists heading to Nairobi reported significant delays, with traffic backed up from Junction Mall to the Karen roundabout.

Videos shared on social media showed commuters stuck in heavy traffic as they attempted to reach work.

Meanwhile, authorities advised Ngong Road users to take alternative routes, including Matasia, Kiserian, and Rongai routes.

What led to the matatu protest

The protest follows a recent call by the Matatu Movement Kenya for a nationwide strike, citing exploitation by insurance companies and auctioneers.

It is confirmed that this is not the first time matatu operators have protested over allegations of police extortion.

In 2023, similar protests were held, but it appears their concerns have not been adequately addressed.

Earlier on August 2, the Matatu Crew Welfare Association raised concerns about discrimination in the industry, noting that two matatus along the Ngong-Nairobi route openly flout traffic laws without police intervention.

The vehicles are allegedly owned by a high-ranking official’s son, with police hesitant to act due to job security fears.