KeNHA explains cause of over 10-hr traffic jam on Nairobi-Nakuru Highway

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) says overlapping motorists are to blame for the more than 10-hour gridlock at the Gilgil Weighbridge on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

Travellers using the busy highway were stranded from 8pm Friday until around 8am Saturday, when traffic began to flow.

“Being end month and schools closing day, there is a significant heavy traffic on the road. Four lanes of overlapped traffic proceeded through the Gilgil Weighbridge taking all the lanes and shoulders from yesterday evening. This resulted in traffic gridlock on both sides of the carriageway,” said KeNHA in its official statement Saturday.

“The police are already on the ground to direct vehicle flow, and urge all motorists to exercise courtesy and patience as the traffic is being directed to ease flow.

“The Authority has also this morning commenced grading of a section within the reserve for the Nakuru bound Heavy Good Vehicles to use into the weighbridge to also ease traffic movements.
“Motorists can also use the alternative routes of Flyover and Njabini-Ol Kalou,” said KeNHA.

Twitter user, Majiambo AG, who used the route, took to the micro-blogging site to voice his frustration.

“Nairobi-Nakuru Highway is a total mess at Gilgil and its extensions. I was stuck there from 8.30pm (Friday) up to 6am (Saturday),” said Majiambo.

Another online user, Jesse Kenya, said: “Overlapping Kenyans: Why are we stuck at Gilgil?
Look at the random pictures and get a clue. Even the police can't solve this.”

Allen Anorld said: "What's happening at Gilgil should be a lesson to us, Kenyans. You don't intentionally get yourself in a mess and start crying serikali saidia. Overlapping and creating a 7-lane traffic lock from opposite sides, what did you expect? Police to airlift vehicles with a chopper?”