‘Wantam’ chants prompt security sweep on festival-goers leaving Diani
‘Wantam’ chants prompt security sweep on festival-goers leaving Diani
A major traffic disruption was witnessed Saturday afternoon along the busy Mombasa-Diani Road, just a few metres from the Dongo Kundu bypass, after police mounted roadblocks targeting youths returning from the Diani Summer Tide Festival.
Motorists travelling from Kwale County en route to Nairobi via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) were caught in the gridlock as police launched a security operation to inspect vehicles ferrying groups of young festival-goers.
The operation, which began shortly after midday, led to significant delays, with some travellers missing the scheduled 3:00 p.m. SGR train to Nairobi.
Eyewitnesses said traffic came to a standstill as officers conducted thorough searches on each vehicle, sparking frustration among commuters.
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Authorities reportedly acted on intelligence suggesting that some youths aboard the vehicles—many of whom were heard chanting “Wantam”—were planning to travel to Nairobi to join the upcoming Saba Saba commemoration on Monday.
Police have not confirmed any arrests but maintained that the checks were necessary to ensure public safety ahead of the politically sensitive date.
The Diani Summer Tide Festival, an annual beachside event, had drawn hundreds of revellers this weekend.
However, the unexpected police roadblock cast a shadow over the journey home for many, with commuters urging authorities to improve communication and avoid blanket disruptions in the future.
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