Commuters along the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway have blamed the police for causing a traffic gridlock that led some to miss their flights and scheduled train journeys from Mombasa on Sunday afternoon.
Vehicles heading from Diani to Mombasa were blocked for more than two hours.
They were held up at the Likoni Checkpoint, an entry point to the Dongo Kundu bypass leading to the Miritini SGR station and Moi International Airport.
Many were forced to alight from taxis and use motorcycles while motorists waited for hours before the road was eventually cleared.
Stranded passengers at Miritini SGR Terminus in Mombasa on July 6, 225
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
Police said they were conducting an alco-blow operation to ensure motorists using the highway were not intoxicated while driving into the city.
“Many of the young people were coming from the Diani Summer Tides Festival and had engaged in alcohol consumption. The operation was meant to prevent any accidents,” said Moi International Airport OCPD Evans Mose.
He dismissed claims that the roadblock was intended to stop youths from traveling back to Nairobi to participate in Monday's Saba Saba demonstrations.
“There is no cause for alarm. We were just testing their alcohol levels. They have very big vehicles and could cause accidents and we are screening them as they proceed,” Mr Mose added.
Stranded passengers at Miritini SGR Terminus in Mombasa on July 6, 225.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
He said the delays were necessary because intoxicated drivers posed a risk to other road users on the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway. However, he did not confirm whether any arrests had been made.
One of the affected travellers said they had left Diani at 1pm but the 30-minute trip to the Miritini SGR station turned into a two-hour ordeal due to police land rovers blocking the road.
“We were heading to the SGR station when the police barricaded the road. They began searching people randomly. We are now stranded and devastated and we may have to find another way to get to Nairobi. This is very disappointing,” she said.
Mr Tyson Asuka, a taxi driver, said the roadblock cost many drivers business as passengers were forced to disembark and take motorcycles past the roadblocks.
Diani Summer Tides is an annual event that attracts thousands of young people to a two day festival at Diani Beach. The revelers come from across the country.
The event is known to bring life to the otherwise quiet Diani town with hundreds of youths and vehicles filling public spaces such as supermarkets, beaches and shops.
Passengers leave Miritini SGR Terminus in Mombasa on July 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
“Public order would have meant letting people return to Nairobi peacefully and not causing panic,” said Ms Emily Kioko, a resident.
“Why are they disrupting tourism? They should let visitors leave as peacefully as they came. This creates a bad image for Diani,” said another resident.
Stranded passengers at Miritini SGR Terminus in Mombasa on July 6, 225.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
"We regret to notify members of the public that due to technical issues, the Madaraka Express 10pm passenger train from Mombasa to Nairobi has been suspended. Kenya Railways prioritises the safety of our passengers," it said on its socials.
