Premium
Section of Mombasa-Nairobi highway to be closed for two weeks
Motorists use the Makupa Bridge-Kibarani-Changamwe Interchange section of the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway in Mombasa County on November 16, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Drivers heading to and from the island should expect delays, with diversions clearly marked to guide traffic flow.
- The rehabilitation is part of broader infrastructure upgrades aimed at easing traffic congestion in the coastal city.
Motorists using the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway have been advised to brace for traffic disruption following the temporary closure of a key section of the road between Makupa Bridge and Changamwe Interchange.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced that the closure will run from Saturday, August 23, to Sunday, September 7, to allow for road construction and drainage works along the busy stretch connecting the island to the mainland.
In a statement issued on Thursday, KeNHA Director-General Luke Kimeli said the authority is committed to ensuring seamless road connectivity and improved safety once the works are completed.
“This is a short-term inconvenience for a long-term benefit. The section will undergo essential construction and drainage improvements to ease movement in and out of Mombasa,” Mr Kimeli said.
KeNHA has advised motorists to adhere to the proposed traffic management plan, which will be implemented with the help of police officers and traffic marshals stationed on-site. Drivers heading to and from the island should expect delays, with diversions clearly marked to guide traffic flow.
While welcoming the long-overdue improvements, residents and frequent road users expressed concerns over possible congestion, especially during peak hours.
The Makupa-Changamwe stretch is one of Mombasa’s most critical road links, serving thousands of vehicles daily, including trucks transporting goods to and from the port. The rehabilitation is part of broader infrastructure upgrades aimed at easing traffic congestion in the coastal city.
Mr Kimeli appealed to motorists to cooperate with officers on the ground and exercise patience during the construction period.
“We ask the public to plan their journeys early and follow instructions to ensure safety and smooth flow of traffic,” he said.
The project is expected to significantly reduce flooding along the section, which has long been prone to waterlogging during heavy rains, often leading to accidents and traffic jams.
