Chaos erupted on Thursday when rival groups engaged in a violent stone-throwing clash during the homecoming of Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
The confrontation began around Cabanas on Mombasa Road, near the Airport North Road linkages, where youths hurled stones at each other.
Images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the youths throwing stones at vehicles in Gachagua’s entourage, forcing his convoy to slow down as the situation escalated.
The rival groups also barricaded the road with large rocks and stones, paralysing traffic and disrupting movement. This temporarily hindered Gachagua’s entourage from proceeding to Kamukunji, where he was scheduled to address a rally.
The youths, who arrived in groups on motorbikes, continued to clash even as police, despite a heavy deployment in the area, had yet to intervene at the time of publishing.
However, moments later, police could be seen attempting to block some of the youths on motorbikes.
At one point, Gachagua was forced to retreat into his car after initially waving to his supporters from the sunroof.
Earlier, he had emerged from the roof of his vehicle at JKIA, but airport security advised him to step back inside to allow an earlier tense situation to calm.
Journalists Attacked
It has also emerged that journalists from Standard Group and Royal Media Services covering the event were not spared from the violent scenes witnessed on Thursday afternoon.
The media practitioners were attacked on Mombasa Road while en route to Kamukunji, and one of their vehicles was damaged.
Motorists Alternatives
Traffic on the opposite lane heading towards Athi River and Kitengela, however, flowed smoothly despite the fracas on the lanes used by DCP supporters.
Motorists were forced to use the Expressway while going to and from JKIA and other areas.
