Violent demonstrations over the poor state of the Kasarani-Mwiki road in Nairobi entered the third day on Thursday, residents insisting that repairs must be carried out immediately.

Protesters blocked all roads leading to Mwiki, dumped garbage on them and lit fires, leaving commuters stranded.

Garbage is pictured on a damaged section of Kasarani-Mwiki road in Nairobi County, during protests against its dilapidated state, January 16, 2020. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A 17-year-old boy, Stephen Machurusi, was killed and a man shot and wounded.

The reports sparked more demonstrations in the area, with residents demanding justice for the boy and the man, who is receiving treatment at a local clinic.

NOT PROTESTER

It was initially reported that the teenager took part in the protests, but his family told the Nation that he did not.

"We found my brother lying on the road next to a petrol station, surrounded by a multitude of people. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where we were told the bullet was lodged in a sensitive part of his body," said Lillian Waringa, his sister.

Lillian Waringa during an interview with the Nation on January 16, 2020, following the death of her brother Stephen Machurusi, amid protests over the poor state of Kasarani-Mwiki road. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Residents, boda-boda riders and matatu operators took part in the demonstrations that have seen them engage police in running battles.

Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them while criminals took advantage of the chaos to steal from shops they found open.

A section of the perimeter wall at the Kasarani Sports Complex, which demonstrators destroyed on January 16, 2020 in a protest against the poor state of Kasarani-Mwiki road in Nairobi. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

NEXT STEPS

Meanwhile, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that they had reached several decisions that would help restore sanity.

Mr Sakaja said it was agreed that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority would immediately send a contractor to repair the road.

"The process of dualling of the road will [begin] in due course. All public service vehicles should return to the roads by this afternoon," he said.

He added that he and the President's Delivery Unit will monitor the work.