KeNHA Responds To Hundreds Stranded On Nairobi-Nakuru Highway With 3 Alternative Routes
Kenyans travelling upcountry for the festive period were earlier warned against using the highway due to the heavy traffic congestion being experienced.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) revealed on Friday, December 20 that it took note of an increase in traffic volumes along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. This is hours after hundreds of motorists were left stranded along the major road in what is now becoming an annual occasion.
Kenyans travelling upcountry for the festive period were earlier warned against using the highway due to the heavy traffic congestion being experienced. Those who began travelling on Friday, December 20, had been stranded along the busy highway for hours.
According to a post by St John Ambulance, the congestion is between Kimende and Flyover, as well as along the Limuru-Maai Mahiu stretch. In some photos seen by Viral Tea, some motorists had abandoned their vehicles by the roadside.
"There is heavy traffic congestion along Nairobi Nakuru Highway between Kimende and Flyover and also along the Limuru - Maimahiu stretch. Avoid the area if you can," the post by St John Ambulance warned.
Heavy traffic along the Nairobi Nakuru Highway between Kimende and Flyover and also along the Limuru - Mai Mahiu stretch on December 20, 2024. /ST JOHN AMBULANCE
KeNHA, in a notice, however, revealed that the traffic snarl-up only affected the Rironi-Naivasha-Nakuru Road and the Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha Road.
"The Authority has observed a surge in traffic volumes along the Rironi - Naivasha - Nakuru (A8) Road and the Rironi - Mai Mahiu - Naivasha (A8S) Road. Motorists plying these routes are advised to exercise patience and observe lane discipline for their safety and that of other road users," KeNHA announced in part.
"The Authority, with the support of traffic police, are at hand to give the necessary guidance and traffic control for a smooth flow in a bid to ensure you reach your destinations safely and without delays."
The authority gave Kenyans three alternative routes; the Naivasha-Njabini-Olkalou-Dundori-Lanet-Nakuru route, the Flyover-Njabini-Olkalou-Dundori-Lanet-Nakuru route and the Ngong-Suswa-Narok-Mau Narok-Nakuru highway.
The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway is notorious for prolonged traffic jams, especially near areas like Kimende and Rironi, with some drivers stranded for hours or even overnight.
On December 15, 2023, travellers were left stranded along the highway in a traffic snarl-up at Mai Mahiu that lasted more than eight hours. Motorists had lamented that the snarlup began minutes before 10 pm on December 14 and had run into the morning hours on December 15.
Reports had largely blamed the gridlock on the overlapping of motorists with some travellers expressing dissent at the absence of the traffic officers on the highway which worsened the situation as some of the matatus heading to Western Kenya also overlapped to beat the traffic.
The episode would repeat itself on December 22, 2023, along the same highway at Soko Mjinga, a matter which drew the wrath of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
This is as motorists revealed that the gridlock had begun around 7.00 a.m. on December 22 and was attributed to cars overlapping as travellers headed upcountry for the festive season.
