A Kenya Forum correspondent who was stuck in central Nairobi traffic for several hours, reports that police have been involved in street battles with students along Uhuru Highway. The students are protesting over the on-going lecturers’ strike, demanding that their lecturers resume lessons immediately.

TEARGAS FIRED, ROCKS THROWN

Heavily armed regular police and Government Service Unit (GSU) officers are guarding main highways in Nairobi and are being deployed at roundabouts.

Our correspondent reports that State Road has been closed and there are stones “all over” Uhuru Highwa.

Earlier in the day anti-riot police had to save motorists from attacks by the students. Police fired teargas canisters into the rioters who threw rocks and stones in reply.

The rioters also turned on members of the public, with reports of stealing and looting, and even of some innocent bystanders being beating up.

STUDENT RIOTS CAUSE TRAFFIC CHAOS

The student riots in Nairobi have also caused a massive traffic jams in the city with traffic bought to a standstill along Parliament Road, Haile Selassie Avenue, Langata Road, Valley Road, University Way, Nyerere Road and Kenyatta Avenue among others.

Traffic also came to a halt between Nyayo Stadium and Museum Hill fly-over as police and students battled during the afternoon.

The Minister of Education, Mutula Kilonzo, is expected to make a statement to Parliament later today regarding the riots.