Hundreds of Kenyan youth returning to Nairobi from the Diani Summertides Festival were blocked by police at the Dongo Kundu Bypass near Likoni, sparking tension and confusion among festivalgoers.
The incident occurred on July 6, 2025, as tour vans and buses heading to the Miritini Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station were stopped, with some alleging the blockade was intended to prevent attendees from joining the Saba Saba 2025 protests in Nairobi.
The Dongo Kundu Bypass, a key infrastructure project connecting Miritini to Kwale County, has been hailed as a game-changer for South Coast travel, but this incident highlights its role in ongoing political tensions.
According to sources, youth at the scene claimed police were obstructing their return to “boost protest numbers” in Nairobi, where demonstrations against police brutality, corruption, and the Finance Bill 2025 are planned for July 7.
The Diani Summertides Festival, a popular music and cultural event in Kwale County, attracts thousands of young Kenyans, making the blockade a significant disruption.
The Dongo Kundu Bypass, opened in August 2024, reduces travel time from Diani to Miritini to 45 minutes, bypassing the congested Likoni Ferry.
However, its partial completion is currently at 96%, with ongoing work on road signs and lighting that has led to restrictions on heavy vehicles, though small vehicles like tour vans are permitted.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has noted the bypass’s role in boosting tourism and trade, but this incident highlights its vulnerability to security operations.
Police have not officially commented on the blockade, but sources suggest heightened security measures ahead of Saba Saba, following the June 25 protests that left at least 16 dead, per Amnesty International.
Hundreds of youth attempting to return to Nairobi from the Diani Summertides Festival blocked by police at the Dongo Kundu bypass near Likoni. pic.twitter.com/EAnfXVkDOP
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 6, 2025
