Panic along Thika Road as rowdy youth rob motorists after Ruto rally

Chaos erupted along Thika Road on Tuesday afternoon when a group of rowdy youth engaged in widespread looting and theft in broad daylight near the National Youth Service (NYS) headquarters, adjacent to Mathare slums.

Videos posted on X show the marauding youth running through the streets, aggressively boarding public vehicles, stealing from commuters and ransacking private cars stuck in traffic.

Additional reports indicate that the goons, who reportedly came from a political rally hosted by President William Ruto, also stormed nearby supermarkets, grabbing anything in sight, while some stores were forced to shut their doors in an attempt to protect themselves and their customers.

"People from William Ruto's meeting at Mathare are currently robbing people at Naivas... Wezi kama Rais wao... Some have entered the Smartphone Supermarket and are robbing it, some have stolen slaughtered chicken from fast foods along the road... Majambazi!" said X user Juma G.

Some eyewitnesses indicated that the chaotic scenes erupted in the presence of police officers who allegedly opted not to intervene.

"Some unruly youths have been attacking private vehicles along Thika Road and snatching phones from unsuspecting individuals and police are just there to see," said X user Madoka Kibet. 

Social media users on X have since flooded the platform with videos and posts, as #ThikaRoad trends on the platform, with many expressing outrage at the rising insecurity.

Kenyans have been advised to use alternative routes, as the situation continues to escalate.