Motorists stranded along Nairobi-Nakuru highway between Nairobi and Kikopey due to what KeNHA said was overlapping and lane indiscipline. /HANDOUT
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has advised motorists traveling between Nairobi and Nakuru to use alternative routes after a heavy traffic gridlock hit the busy highway on Thursday night.
According to the authority, the congestion began at around 8:30 pm on Thursday along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway and was worsened by lane indiscipline, resulting in a gridlock that stretched between Naivasha and Kikopey.
KeNHA noted that the traffic situation was further compounded by the high number of motorists who had traveled to Gilgil for the National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out parade earlier in the day, with many returning to Nairobi in the evening.
“The Authority regrets to bring to the attention of the public that from around 2030hrs yesterday, congestion developed along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway. This was worsened by lane indiscipline, which resulted in a traffic gridlock that is currently being experienced between Naivasha and Kikopey,” KeNHA said in a statement.
To ease the pressure on the highway, the authority announced two alternative routes for motorists.
Those traveling from Gilgil can use the Gilgil–Olkalou–Dundori–Lanet route, while travelers from Nairobi can opt for the Flyover–Njambini–Olkalou–Dundori–Lanet route to bypass the heavily congested stretch.
KeNHA added that it is working closely with traffic police officers on the ground to help clear the snarl-up and restore the normal flow of vehicles.
Motorists were urged to exercise patience and observe lane discipline.
“Motorists are urged to observe lane discipline and avoid
overlapping, as it will make it impossible to ease the congestion. Normal
traffic flow is expected to resume gradually through the course of the
morning,” the statement read.
