Business stalled in Ruiru Town after it was turned into a 'parking lot’ when President Uhuru Kenyatta was hosted at the Ruiru Prison Staff Training College on Tuesday as the residents demanded an address by the President.
Kenyatta’s jubilant supporters who had thronged his pathway were however left with their mouths open as he drove away without even waving to them in a move believed to be a message sent to the Kiambu county leaders.
Confused motorists and commuters who use the Ruiru-Kiambu Road were all caught unawares in the traffic congestion that lasted for more than five hours and extended to the eastern by-pass and to the Thika superhighway.
The town and its environs were impassable. Bus termini in Ruiru town and other areas were also crowded by stranded commuters. Major traffic snarl-ups were experienced on most roads. Getting in or out of Ruiru became virtually impossible.
Motorists coming into Ruiru via the by-pass way, which was closed due to the President’s motorcade, had to contend with a jam that extended beyond their expectations and some tried to maneuver their own 'panya routes' through and past the crowds.
The few matatus that managed to get into town took advantage of the situation to hike the fares. Commuters who ply via the superhighway had to part with either Sh150 or Sh200, which was double above the normal rates.
Bodaboda riders and Tuktuks had a booming business. Commuters could be seen still stranded in bus stops as late as 5pm. Some even decided to walk home.
However, some of the residents that spoke to the press expressed their disappointments over the neglect by the President to address them despite having waited for him for more than four hours.
One, Vincent Mwangi, a resident of Gatongora told this writer that he had a lot of expectations from the President as he has always made several stopovers whenever he visits the area.
“He always stops and talks to us and we feel better when a President you elected addresses you from you residence. This has been so disappointing and we never expected that. It’s like he is over confident with the votes from this region and he doesn’t bother anymore,” he said.