Residents of Buyangu in Vihiga County brought traffic to a standstill on Thursday after barricading the Kisumu-Busia highway to protest escalating insecurity that has claimed nine lives in the area.
According to reports, angry residents from Emuhaya blocked the busy road and lit fires, forcing police to use force to clear the barricade and restore normalcy.
The protesters expressed frustration over what they termed as police negligence in handling security matters in their locality.
The residents claim that nine people have been killed and more than ten others injured in recent attacks, accusing local police of releasing suspects shortly after arrests are made.
They have called for immediate intervention from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to address the deteriorating security situation.
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"We want the Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to address the issues of insecurity in this area. Nine people have died and over ten have been injured and assaulted. We want the OCS and the OCPD to give us an audience so they can explain why they are releasing people after we report them," one resident said.
Another protester lamented the apparent laxity among local police officers, claiming they spend more time on leisure activities than executing their duties.
"All they do is play pool and not execute their duties. Now we are left with no security; we are just being killed," the resident stated.
The protests caused significant disruption along the major highway, affecting motorists and business activities in the area.
Police were deployed to disperse the demonstrators and reopen the road to traffic.
In a similar case in September, police clashed with Meru University students who staged demonstrations over rising insecurity around their institution.
The students blocked the Meru-Maua highway with stones and lit bonfires, demanding the installation of security lights around the campus.
The protests, organized by the Students Association of Meru University, followed what they described as failed attempts to engage authorities on security concerns, with poor lighting and inadequate security measures cited as major contributors to insecurity in the area.
“After several attempts to engage the relevant authorities with no meaningful action taken, we have resolved to organize a peaceful demonstration to demand urgent intervention.
“We hereby call upon all students to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday, 9th September 2025. No classes should be attended on this day since your safety is our highest priority,” SAMU Secretary General Cosmas Emerkwa said.
