KeNHA announces alternative routes as heavy traffic is still being experienced on Nairobi–Nakuru highway

Motorists who intend to use the Nairobi-Nakuru highway have been advised to use alternative routes due to heavy traffic on the highway.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has outlined two detours to ease congestion after a truck broke down at the Gilgil weighbridge, causing traffic that lasted since last night.

KeNHA recommends the Gilgil–Olkalou–Dundori–Lanet route, or the Flyover–Njambini–Olkalou–Dundori–Lanet route, depending on the direction of travel.

These diversions are expected to provide relief to motorists who have been stranded for hours, with some spending Thursday night in traffic between Naivasha and Kikopey.

In a statement posted on its official social media pages, KeNHA confirmed that the congestion began at around 8:30pm on Thursday after the truck stalled.

"This was worsened by lane indiscipline, resulting in the current gridlock between Naivasha and Kikopey," says KeNHA.

Officials also noted that the unusually high volume of traffic was partly due to the large number of motorists who had travelled to attend the National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out parade in Gilgil earlier in the day.

KeNHA added that they were working closely with the traffic police to restore order and ensure a gradual return to normal traffic flow. Motorists have been urged to strictly observe lane discipline and avoid overlapping, as such behaviour is the main cause of worsening gridlock.

"The Authority regrets the inconvenience caused and assures road users that normal traffic flow is expected to resume gradually throughout the morning," the statement reads.

By Friday morning, long queues of vehicles were still reported around Gilgil, with public service vehicles and long-distance lorries among the worst affected.

Commuters heading to Nairobi from Nakuru described the situation as 'frustrating', with delays stretching to several hours despite ongoing efforts to ease the congestion.