The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has called on motorists plying the Nairobi-Nakuru route to exercise lane discipline following a heavy traffic jam being experienced on the highway.
In a statement on Friday, December 22, KeNHA said there was a traffic snarl-up from Rironi occasioned by increased travel for Christmas festivities, which left hundreds stranded.
The agency advises motorists to use alternative routes.
“KeNHA alerts motorists plying or planning to use the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway of a traffic snarl up from Rironi occasioned by increased travel for festivities. Motorists are advised to maintain lane discipline and refrain from overlapping to prevent additional congestion. They can also use alternative routes,” stated KeNHA on their X account.
“Traffic police have been deployed to actively manage the situation,” adds the statement.
The traffic snarl-up began on Friday morning.
KeNHA said that traffic police had been activated to manage the situation.
Images shared online have shown motorists opting to overlap and even creating isolated paths far from the main highway.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was among those affected by the snarl-up on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
“Dead stuck in a kilometers-long traffic jam as we snake our way to Kakamega. It’s consoling that a dual carriageway of the Nairobi to Mau Summit junction is in our development blueprint. We will transform Kenya,” Khalwale stated.
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Most roads across the country are packed with traffic jams as Kenyans rush upcountry for Christmas and New Year celebrations with their loved ones.
Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway has been the most affected since yesterday, with motorists spending hours on the road from the city.
Alternatives include the Maai Mahiu-Narok highway and the Naivasha-Njabini-Olkalou-Ol Joro Orok-Lanet-Naruru roads.
Motorists heading from Nairobi to Western Kenya parts can use the Maai Mahiu -Narok highway to reduce the traffic snarl.
Motorists travelling from Naivasha to Nakuru can use the Naivasha-Njabini-Olkalou-Ol Joro Orok-Lanet-Naruru road.
On Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome Koome warned Kenyans of the expected heavy traffic on the roads during the festive season and urged all road users to exercise caution.
Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Koome noted that road safety is a collective responsibility.
The police boss noted that the increase in road crashes was caused by preventable human factors such as non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations, including the operation of defective vehicles, non-use of seat belts by commuters, speeding, driver fatigue, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and dangerous overtaking.
“We are expecting heavy traffic on our roads due to increased movement of Kenyans across the country. We have already recorded two major fatal road accidents in Machakos and Nakuru since last week, killing a total of 16 people. It is very unfortunate that most road traffic accidents and crashes in the country are due to preventable human factors,” he said.
The IG, however, assured Kenyans of safety, noting that all police officers on leave have been recalled to resume duty ahead of the Christmas festivities.
By Hilary Kimuyu