Nearly 300 traders and bodaboda operators at Kimende Trading Center held protests against the lack of a footbridge and speed bumps along that section of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.
Business activities were brought to standstill on Thursday as angry residents barricaded the road, lighting tires and chanting slogans to condemn the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) for failing to construct the footbridge and speed bumps along the busy Highway.
The residents claimed that several lives have been lost in the month of September.
"Road accidents along Nairobi-Nakuru Highway have claimed over five lives over the last one month," said John Kamau, one of the traders.
Samson Waruathe, the Chairman of Kimende Business Traders, said lack of a footbridge and speed bumps along the highway has also caused great inconvenience to the traders.
"Whenever an accidents occur, our property is destroyed as vehicles ram into roadside stalls," said Waruathe.
Waruathe said with the erection of speed bumps, the situation can be contained and give relief to traders and road users.
He urged KeNHA to move with speed and construct the footbridge and speed bumps.
Waruathe said efforts to seek help from area leaders including Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi has not yielded fruits.
"We have approached Kiambu senator and other local leaders to help in addressing the issue but nothing is forthcoming," he added.
Waruathe said that situation may scare away small-scale traders in the town unless it is remedied.