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How 15-hour gridlock disrupted traffic along busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway
Motorists stuck in a traffic jam on the Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway on December 22, 2024.
What you need to know:
- The traffic snarl-up, which was caused by two separate accidents, was compounded by the current adverse weather conditions.
- The National Police Service (NPS) described the situation — which lasted more than 15 hours — as a serious traffic gridlock.
The Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway has experienced traffic snarl-up, disruption movement of goods and passengers along the busy highway that serves as a critical segment of the Northern corridor.
The traffic snarl-up was caused by two separate accidents, one at Soysambu and another in Mbaruk, which were further compounded by the current adverse weather conditions, said East African Community (EAC) Principal Secretary Dr Caroline Karugu.
This corridor, she explained, is not only a vital artery for Kenya “but also the main gateway for regional trade, connecting the Port of Mombasa” to the landlocked East African nations such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For its importance, delays or disruptions on this corridor not only stall local transit but ripple across regional economies.
“The State Department for EAC wishes to inform the public, regional partners, and all stakeholders of the temporary traffic disruption experienced overnight along the Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway, a critical segment of the Northern Corridor,” Dr Karugu said in a statement.
Recurring disruption
According to the PS, different government agencies swung into action to “manage the situation and minimise disruption… and we are pleased to report that traffic is now clearing and the flow of vehicles is steadily returning to normal.”
The National Police Service (NPS) described the situation — which lasted more than 15 hours — as a serious traffic gridlock.
“This unfortunate incident was caused by several factors, the key among them being heavy rainfall in Nakuru City and its surroundings, which began at around 4pm yesterday (Friday) and continued until 8:00 pm, a non-injury traffic accident near Baruk area, a second non-injury accident near Soysambu area, which further disrupted traffic flow just as it was stabilising,” said NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga in a statement dated May 10.
The situation, Mr Muchiri said, was further exacerbated by motorists failing to adhere to traffic rules, leading to overlapping and lane indiscipline.
While urging motorists to remain patient and maintain lane discipline, Mr Muchiri said motorists could consider alternative routes to ease congestion.
In recent days and especially during festive seasons, such traffic snarl-ups have become a recurring disruption along this highway, highlighting the urgent need for long-term infrastructure and traffic management solutions.
