Nairobi–Nakuru Highway Blocked as Naivasha Youths Protest Over Road Jobs
News Updated: 02 April 2026 18:43 EAT
Section of Nairobi-Nakuru highway near Mithuri in Naivasha blocked after youths protest demanding jobs in ongoing Rironi-Mau Summit construction
A section of the busy Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Mithuri in Naivasha was temporarily blocked on Thursday after youths staged a protest demanding employment opportunities linked to the ongoing Rironi–Mau Summit Highway construction. The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
The protesters said they were frustrated at being excluded from job opportunities despite the construction taking place in their locality. Many alleged that the positions available in the project had been given to workers from outside the area, leaving local youth without access to employment.
According to the demonstrators, the protest was aimed at pressuring contractors and authorities to prioritize locals for jobs on the highway project. The youths used stones and blockades to stop traffic, causing significant disruption along one of Kenya’s major transport corridors.
Local administration quickly intervened to calm the crowd and reopen the highway. Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner, Josiah Odongo, met with the youths, listening to their grievances and assuring them that steps would be taken to ensure fair distribution of employment opportunities.
The protest reflects wider frustrations in communities hosting major infrastructure projects, where expectations for direct benefits like jobs and contracts are often unmet. Authorities have reiterated that mechanisms exist to incorporate locals in the projects, but gaps in communication and implementation can fuel tensions.
The Rironi–Mau Summit Highway project is part of a broader plan to expand the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit corridor under a public–private partnership. Once completed, it is expected to improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and boost regional economic activity, while providing thousands of employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
While the situation has now been stabilized, officials warned that continued disruptions could jeopardize project timelines. Authorities urged communities to engage through formal channels and for contractors to maintain transparency in employment opportunities to avoid further unrest.
Tags: Edit Protests Signs Media Kenya Limited Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD