Kenyans experience traffic snarl ups on major highways during festive season
Motorists have complained of traffic snarl-ups on major highways out of Nairobi during the festive season.
Reports indicate the Nairobi-Nakuru route and Nakuru-Kisumu are among the most affected, having experienced heavy vehicle traffic from December 20, 2022.
Nairobi News understands the traffic backlog left motorists using up to 14 hours on journeys that normally take between 6-8 hours.
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The most notorious spots are Mai Mahiu near Naivasha and Ahero junction, some 30km from Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city which has been affected by the upgrade of the junction.
Traffic snarl-ups are common during the festive season as several Nairobians travel to their villages to spend time with their loved ones.
The government says indiscipline on the road, especially overlapping of cars on single carriage lanes, is the main case of the traffic jams.
Here are some of the reactions from travelers.
Petition to dual the Nairobi-Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
This should be a priority project of this regime. Nearly half the country's population uses this road
— Daniel Murkomen (@MurkomenDaniel) December 23, 2022
Gridlock ya Mai Mahiu — Naivasha — Gilgil — Nakuru ni wewe…. pic.twitter.com/0KXIKOqdXD
— M O I B E N S H I R E (@Kapyoseiin) December 23, 2022
A104 situation: It's a standstill between Weighbridge and Gilgil town..not because of accident or anything but just indiscipline. Guys have overlapped causing a beautiful grid. Its a stretch of less than 400m though. If you can drop off and the rough road, the better.
— Tungsten™ (@kollonabiswa) December 23, 2022
⚠️ NOTE: KeNHA has notified motorists plying or planning to use the Nairobi-Nakuru (A8) Highway of a traffic buildup between Gilgil Town—Rail Over Road bridge as people travel for the festive season. pic.twitter.com/ctz3qajj5X
— Adam Maina ™ ⚡ (@AdamMaina_) December 23, 2022
@Ma3Route Now headed to Gilgil,total mess about overlapping…NB: l left Langata at 5.20Am pic.twitter.com/3hprChCtnN
— Dantorish (@Dantorish1M) December 23, 2022
In a bid to provide safety during the festive season, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki directed the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to crack down heavily on those found flouting traffic rules.
He added that his Ministry would provide police officers with the necessary support to enforce the safety of every Kenyan on the road.