Motorists Slam Govt Over Putting Up More Than 20 Roadblocks
They accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of blatantly disregarding the law by ordering officers to block major roads.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Motorist Association of Kenya has called out the government for setting up illegal roadblocks on key highways across the country.
In a statement on Monday, the association voiced its anger and concern over what it described as police unlawfully blocking roads and holding up travellers.
They accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of blatantly disregarding the law by ordering officers to block major roads.
The association questioned how the IG, whose role is to enforce the law, could instead break it so openly and undermine citizens’ right to free movement.
Collage of roadblocks erected across major roads leading to Nairobi CBD as of July 7, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE
“Why is the IG blocking our roads unlawfully, standing between us and our right to move freely in our own country? What justification can there possibly be for stopping hardworking Kenyans from attending to essential services that sustain life and dignity?” the statement read.
The association also pointed out that food was going to waste because farmers and traders couldn’t reach markets thanks to the roadblocks.
They also highlighted worries about travellers with booked flights or other urgent commitments who were either stuck in traffic or prevented from moving forward.
“Our fresh food supplies are rotting in trucks and lorries because they cannot reach the markets in time. Farmers, traders, and consumers are suffering unnecessary losses because of these illegal roadblocks,” it stated.
“What of those of us rushing to catch local and international flights? Are our dreams, our businesses, and our commitments now to be crushed at roadblocks manned by officers enforcing illegal orders?”
The association found it ironic that this happened just after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku had cautioned civil servants against skipping work and threatened disciplinary action for failing to report on duty.
As early as Monday morning, July 7, police roadblocks erected across various parts of the city left Nairobi commuters stranded with thousands of people trying to get to the Central Business District and nearby areas having their travel disrupted, causing massive delays and frustration. This police move happened even though a court order had clearly banned setting up these roadblocks ahead of the planned protests.
The traffic jam brought major routes in and out of the city, including Waiyaki Way, Thika Road, Uhuru Highway, and Mombasa Road, among others, to a standstill, leaving countless residents stuck and unable to reach their workplaces.
By the time of publishing this story, Viral Tea counted up to 24 roadblocks mounted across Nairobi and its environs, referenced by a website, nairobi-cbd-barricades.vercel.app created by X user Kelvin to monitor the roadblocks erected across the Metropolitan.
This police action followed plans by Gen Zs to take to the streets for the Saba Saba Day protests, despite the government’s calls for calm.
