Motorists using the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway found themselves in frustrating traffic chaos for the second consecutive day, as the road became a bottleneck for travelers rushing to various destinations for the Christmas festivities. The gridlock, which started on the morning of Friday, December 20, continued through Saturday, creating significant delays for those eager to reach their holiday destinations.
Despite the deployment of additional police officers and traffic management teams, many travelers, including motorists and passengers, were left stuck for hours, enduring long periods of uncertainty on the roads. Some travelers found themselves spending the night in the cold, unable to continue their journeys due to the heavy congestion.
The situation worsened on Saturday morning as more motorists took to the road, seeking to avoid the previous day’s delays. The traffic chaos was exacerbated by rains that fell during the night, making the already difficult conditions even more challenging for those caught in the gridlock. The chaos had a ripple effect on alternative routes, including the Mai Mahiu route, where extra police teams were also dispatched to assist in managing the traffic flow.
According to Police Spokesperson Resila Onyango, the traffic congestion was initially triggered by a bus accident at the Kimende area on Friday morning. The accident caused a significant slowdown in traffic, with vehicles backing up for hours. By 9 am, the accident had been cleared, but the traffic continued to flow slowly, with many motorists still stuck in the long queue. Some drivers, who had hoped to avoid the gridlock by starting their journeys early, found themselves stranded for hours once they reached Limuru.
One notable account came from Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, who shared his frustration after being stuck in the traffic for over 12 hours. Amisi, who had left Nairobi at 5 am in hopes of attending an event at the Kitale National Polytechnic by 1 pm, encountered heavy traffic along various stretches of the highway. He described the challenges he faced, from the Limuru bridge to Kikopey, Nakuru town, and Eldoret town. Despite his early departure, he did not arrive at his destination until much later, underscoring the extent of the congestion that plagued the route.
The chaos continued throughout the day on Friday and spilled into Saturday, despite the presence of extra police officers. The police had dispatched additional teams to help with traffic management, especially in areas like the Limuru, Kikopey, and Nakuru towns, where traffic bottlenecks were most severe. The deployment of reinforcement officers, including General Duty Police Officers from nearby stations, was aimed at easing the flow, but it was evident that the volume of traffic remained overwhelming.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja responded to the growing concerns by ordering the deployment of a police chopper from the National Police Service Airwing to assist the Traffic Police Unit in clearing the congestion. Kanja also appealed to all motorists to observe traffic rules, including speed limits, and to drive roadworthy vehicles. He urged drivers to avoid reckless overtaking and to adhere to safety regulations to help reduce accidents and further delays.
By Saturday morning, more vehicles were on the road as travelers aimed to make up for lost time. Despite the heightened police presence, the situation on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway remained chaotic, with many motorists still stuck in traffic for hours. The combination of high traffic volumes, adverse weather conditions, and accidents caused a logistical nightmare for those heading upcountry for the holidays.
The National Police Service continued to urge motorists to exercise patience and understanding, emphasizing the importance of road safety during the busy holiday season. As the chaos continued, many drivers were left frustrated and disillusioned by the long delays, with some questioning whether the measures put in place were enough to manage the growing traffic challenges.
