KeNHA Closes Section Of Thika Road At Kahawa Sukari

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a temporary closure of the Thika Superhighway whose section of it was flooded on Wednesday morning, May 1.

In a statement, KeNHA revealed that the flooding of the Kahawa Sukari drift was a result of the heavy downpour that occurred overnight.

Specifically, the sections that were affected at the drift were between Kahawa Barracks and Kenyatta University, for Thika Bound traffic.

Vehicles wade through floods on Thika Superhighway on May 1, 2024. /MARION.X

"The Authority cautions road users against any attempts to use this section of the road in the interest of their safety," KeNHA stated in part.

Motorists heading to Thika were therefore advised to use Kiambu Road and turn off to the Northern Bypass to Ruiru and vice versa.

"We will continue to monitor the water levels and advise when the water subsides. The Authority remains committed to ensuring seamless connectivity to facilitate safe passage of goods and services for economic prosperity," the authority added.

The flooding along the busy road has left many Kenyans stranded at Kenyatta University as well as Juja. Traffic flow was affected after a section of the highway was submerged by water, particularly the Thika bound on the underpass of the Juja Flyover area.

Motorists were forced to use the Service Lane to access the highway past the High Point area. Also submerged were Traffic Police Offices within Juja Police Station.

Police were said to have turned away motorists on both sides of the road to avert a tragedy and appealed to motorists to exercise due caution when using the Super Highway around Juja.

Motor vehicles from Nairobi heading towards Thika reportedly made u-turns and came back to the Githurai roundabout. No motor vehicle was heading to Nairobi because floods cut off Kahawa Sukari.

Earlier, KeNHA closed down Athi River - Namanga Road (A2) in the Kimalat area, a road which was stated to be affected by floods following the bursting of the banks of River Kimalat after the heavy overnight downpour.

However, the authority also cautioned users against using alternative earth roads as they were equally flooded.

Kenya Red Cross officers during a rescue mission in Kitengela. /KENYA RED CROSS