Three individuals, including a sitting Member of the County Assembly, have been charged before a Nairobi court over their alleged role in protests that disrupted traffic along the Northern Bypass.
Marurui MCA Sospeter Githahu Mumbi, former Mathare North MCA Jared Okoth Okode, and businessman John Muchiri Nyambura appeared before the Makadara Law Courts, where they denied a charge of obstructing a public street under the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act, 2021.
The prosecution told the court that the trio allegedly organised and led a group of demonstrators who barricaded the busy highway in the Marurui area within Roysambu Sub-County on May 3, 2026. The incident reportedly caused significant traffic congestion and posed a danger to motorists and pedestrians.
According to police, officers were alerted at about 2:30 pm to a large crowd—estimated at 300 people—that had blocked the road using stones and burning tyres.
The situation is said to have escalated, with some protesters throwing stones at vehicles and police officers.
Law enforcement officers, backed by the Quick Response Unit, moved in to disperse the crowd and arrested the three accused persons, who investigators believe were at the forefront of the demonstration.
The unrest followed the demolition of houses on a disputed parcel of land in the area. The demolitions were carried out after a court ruling affirming Langton Investments Limited as the lawful owner of the property.
Residents affected by the exercise contested the process, claiming they had occupied the land for years and had legally acquired their plots.
Some insisted they were not given adequate notice before the demolitions, while others alleged that orders stopping the exercise were disregarded.
However, the company maintained that it had issued prior warnings to the public against purchasing or developing the land, which spans approximately 300 acres.
The court also heard that tensions had escalated a day earlier, with protests breaking out and leading to confrontations with police, who used tear gas to restore order.
The demonstrations temporarily brought traffic along the Northern Bypass to a standstill.
During the proceedings, defence lawyer Jonson Bosire asked the court to release the accused on reasonable terms, noting that they were responsible citizens, with Mumbi serving as an elected MCA.
Senior Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe granted each of the accused a cash bail of Sh5,000. The case is scheduled for a hearing in September.
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