Dozens of tourists heading to the world renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve were roughed up by angry Maasai youth along the busy Mai Mahiu-Narok Road.

The youth burned tyres on the road blocking both sides around the Duka Moja area, 46 kilometres from Narok Town.

The angry Maasai youth protested the beating up of one of them by police for engaging in sand harvesting in the area.

Tour vans trying to manoeuvre their way past the youth were blocked with some having their side-mirrors smashed.

Most of the tourists were forced to turn round their vehicles and drive away from the scene as the youth turned violent.

The blocking of the road has led to a major traffic snarl up stretching for kilometres on the busy road.

A source speaking to said she has been stranded for close to three hours at the Duka Moja area.

She said police had been called to the scene and were on their way to the area to try and disperse the youth.

The rowdy youth had vowed not to let anyone through until the police officers who beat up one of them are identified and transferred from the area.