A viral video has captured the moment a woman boldly refused to give way to a black luxury SUV fitted with strobe lights and a siren as it attempted to overlap traffic on a congested Kenyan highway.
The woman’s stance was echoed by other motorists in the opposite lane, including one who was driving a Toyota Hilux.
Onlookers encouraged him to maintain his position, with one heard saying, “Hata we pita, ukona right,” affirming his right of way.
A man who was attempting to guide the flashy vehicle to overlap was left with egg on face after the woman refused to move despite attempts to convince her.
The incident drew support from fellow motorists, with many appearing indifferent to the identity of the VIP inside the SUV.
One man was heard questioning, “Ukiritimba gani hii, kwani hamkuchukua chopper?” expressing frustration over perceived entitlement.
Many Kenyans online applauded the resistance, highlighting growing public fatigue over non-emergency vehicles misusing sirens and strobe lights to bypass traffic.
One Instagram user remarked, “Kama alikuwa na haraka angepita jana akae hapo apangwe.”
According to Kenyan traffic law, only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire engines, and marked police cars, as well as the presidential motorcade, are legally permitted to use flashing lights and sirens to demand right of way.
The video sparked renewed calls for accountability. One user commented, “We are slowly fixing this nation and we will get there eventually.”
The incident drew comparisons to a 2016 protest by activist Boniface Mwangi, who refused to give way to Mwingi West MP Bernard Kitungi’s motorcade, which was using the wrong side of the road to escape traffic.
At the time, Mwangi tweeted: “I only yield to fire engines and ambulances. Politicians and entitled civil servants who enjoy using sirens to avoid traffic are blocked by me.”
In response to such incidents, a 2019 directive from the Inspector General of Police outlined five categories of VIPs permitted to receive road clearance.
They included, the President, Deputy President, First Lady, and key Interior and Defence officials.
The other category was that of the Chief of Defence Forces, service commanders, and senior police officers.
Speakers of Parliament and the Majority Leader, former Presidents and Prime Ministers are also considered.
All other vehicles, including government ones, are required to observe standard traffic rules.