On Wednesday morning, commuters along Waiyaki Way, particularly in the Westlands area, were caught in a massive traffic jam that disrupted transportation in the Nairobi region. The congestion stretched across multiple sections of the highway, including the University Way, Museum Hill Interchange, and the stretch from Chiromo to Westlands, causing a significant slowdown for motorists heading out of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
The traffic snarl-up, which began early in the morning, was primarily attributed to ongoing road maintenance works along the affected sections. The repairs commenced at around 5:00 am, and as the hours passed, the situation worsened, with some commuters being stuck for as long as 30 minutes. The congestion was compounded by the mix of heavy commercial vehicles, Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), and personal cars, all jammed along the busy road.
The roadworks, which included resurfacing and recarpeting, were visibly taking place as traffic marshals worked to control the flow of vehicles. While the repair works were necessary due to the deteriorating state of the road, they came as a response to numerous complaints from motorists about the poor condition of the road, which had led to several incidents of tyre bursts and minor accidents. In fact, one video circulating on social media showed a motorist who had parked by the roadside after hitting a pothole, with a mechanic seen shortly afterward replacing a damaged tyre.
The ongoing maintenance works on Waiyaki Way have been a topic of concern for many, especially due to the lack of prior communication from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) about the planned disruptions. Motorists expressed frustration over the unexpected nature of the works, which had not been sufficiently communicated ahead of time. This lack of notification left many drivers unprepared for the traffic delays and forced to seek alternative routes as the gridlock worsened.
In response to the road’s deteriorating condition, KeNHA had previously announced that maintenance works would be carried out on other key roads, such as the Haile Selassie Roundabout on Uhuru Highway, which connects to Waiyaki Way. This announcement, made in November 2024, outlined that the maintenance would take place from late November to mid-January 2025. The advisory urged motorists to follow the traffic management plan and to cooperate with police and traffic marshals to minimize disruptions.
Despite the roadworks being necessary to improve the road’s condition and prevent further accidents, the timing of the repairs has sparked concerns. The lack of clear communication about the scope and schedule of the works has contributed to widespread dissatisfaction among commuters. Many feel that the disruption could have been mitigated with better planning and more effective communication about the works, including alternative routes and expected delays.
As the roadworks continue, it is hoped that the improvements to Waiyaki Way will lead to a safer and smoother driving experience for all road users. However, the challenges faced by commuters during the ongoing maintenance serve as a reminder of the importance of timely communication and planning in major infrastructure projects, especially in busy urban areas.
