Lawyer Willis Otieno has sharply criticised the government over the reported takeover of sections of the Thika–Kenol highway by armed youths, arguing that the incident exposed serious failures in Kenya’s security system.
Otieno said the reported disruption, in which motorists were allegedly stopped and forced to part with money by armed individuals, represented more than an isolated criminal incident.
“When armed gangs can seize a major highway in broad daylight, extort motorists at gunpoint and disappear without consequence, the State is not merely failing; it is surrendering territory to criminals,” Otieno said.
The incident reportedly affected motorists along sections of the highway around Montezuma, Makenji and Kabati on Saturday, August 22, with armed youths accused of blocking the road and demanding money from motorists.
Otieno described the situation as the transformation of a public road into what he termed a “criminal toll station”, questioning how citizens could be expected to feel secure when travelling on major highways.
“A public highway has effectively become a criminal toll station. Ordinary Kenyans are forced to negotiate with goons for the privilege of travelling on roads they already paid for through taxes,” he said.
The lawyer also turned his criticism towards the Interior Ministry and senior police commanders, questioning the government's preparedness to respond to such incidents.
“Where is the Interior CS? Where are the police commanders? Where is the much-advertised intelligence apparatus?” Otieno asked.
He argued that the government should be able to prevent armed groups from disrupting major transport routes, particularly given its ability to deploy security officers during demonstrations and monitor activities deemed to pose a security threat.
“If the government can track political critics, deploy police to demonstrations and monitor citizens online, it should certainly be capable of stopping armed gangs from taking over highways,” he said.
Otieno called the incident a “failure of command” rather than a public-relations challenge, and demanded accountability from the country's senior security leadership.
“The Interior CS and senior police leadership should resign. You cannot preside over the deterioration of public security, offer excuses after every incident and still pretend to be in control,” he said.
He further linked the incident to Kenya's unemployment and economic challenges, warning that young people without access to jobs and opportunities could become increasingly vulnerable to criminal networks.
“When the legitimate economy shuts its doors, organised crime starts opening them,” Otieno said.
He concluded by challenging the government to restore public confidence in the security of Kenya's roads.
“A government that cannot guarantee a citizen safe passage on a public highway has forfeited the right to lecture Kenyans about security,” he said.
Otieno called for decisive action, warning against normalising a situation in which criminals can disrupt public infrastructure without facing consequences.
“Enough excuses. Enough impunity. Someone must take responsibility,” he said.