Motorists Association issues security alert after motorist reports highway scare

The Motorists Association urges drivers to avoid stopping for unknown individuals away from police or safe locations. /HANDOUT

The Motorists Association of Kenya has issued a security alert urging drivers to remain vigilant along the busy Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.

This follows a frightening encounter reported by a motorist who said two unknown men on a motorcycle attempted to force them to stop under suspicious circumstances.

In a public advisory, the association warned motorists not to stop for individuals who cannot clearly identify themselves or explain why they are flagging down a vehicle.

“Please stay alert on this road. If unknown motorcyclists try to stop you without a clear reason, do not stop unless you are near police or in a safe place. Please share to warn others,” the association said.

The warning follows an account shared by a driver who said the incident occurred on Sunday morning between 10 am and 11.30 am near the Flyover area along the highway.

“Motorists, please be careful, especially if driving alone. This morning near Flyover, two men on a motorcycle tried to force me to stop, even though no accident or incident had happened,” the motorist recounted.

According to the driver, they initially ignored the riders and continued with the journey, unaware that the two men had begun following the car.

The situation escalated moments later near the Ngarariga area, shortly after the viewpoint along the highway.

“Just before Ngarariga after the View Point, they overtook me and blocked my car completely, forcing me to stop,” the driver said.

One of the men allegedly hit the vehicle and aggressively tried to confront the motorist through the window while raising their voice and making intimidating remarks.

“They kept asking: ‘Do you know what you have done?’ and ‘Do you know who we are?’” the motorist recounted. 

The driver said they suggested resolving the matter at a nearby police station, but one of the men allegedly rejected the idea.

“I told them if there was any issue, we should go to the nearest police station,” the motorist said. “When I insisted, one of them said: ‘No, wewe utatufuata.’” 

The driver said their instincts signalled that something was wrong and decided to proceed toward the next police point rather than comply.

“I drove off toward the next police point and luckily saw a police car parked at Rubis Ngarariga, about 200 metres away.”

After stopping and reporting the incident to an officer, the two men reportedly vanished.

“Even after waiting 10–15 minutes, they never showed up. This strongly felt like a planned setup targeting motorists,” the driver said.

The association’s warning comes amid persistent security concerns along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway, a major transport corridor linking the capital to western Kenya and neighbouring countries.

Highway robberies and violent crimes along the route have been reported for years, with security reports indicating a resurgence of armed gangs targeting motorists and passengers.

Criminal groups often operate in teams using motorcycles or vehicles equipped with cloned police radio equipment to create the impression of authority before robbing victims.

Several stretches of the corridor are considered high-risk zones, including areas between Nakuru and Naivasha, as well as Sachang’wan, Salgaa, the Mai Mahiu Escarpment and Karai.

Victims frequently report being forced to stop before being robbed of cash and valuables such as mobile phones.

The motorist, driving a white Toyota Axio, said they managed to capture a poor-quality photograph of the two men as they blocked the car.

Data from security agencies shows that carjackers in Kenya frequently target Toyota vehicles, which account for between 54 and 74 per cent of reported car theft cases, particularly white station wagons.

Police have previously urged motorists to avoid stopping in isolated areas and instead proceed to the nearest police station or populated location if confronted by suspicious individuals.