Several motorists were forced to spend the night on the road on Friday, August 15, due to heavy traffic along the Nairobi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha highway at the Mai Mahiu area.
Reports indicate the traffic snarl-up began around 9 pm, mainly caused by motorists who failed to adhere to traffic rules, leading to overlapping and lane indiscipline.
The gridlock spanned over 21 kilometres and caused blockage of the entire single carriageway, restricting movement in both directions. Attempts by the police to ease the congestion proved futile as the gridlock lasted hours into early Saturday morning.
Images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed private and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), including long-distance buses, lined up along the highway, even as the situation escalated.
As of 5 am on Saturday, August 16, some drivers had spent several hours trying the navigate the gridlock, with a section of passengers forced to alight from the vehicles to take a rest at nearby hotels.
Motorists planning to use the highway were advised to seek alternative routes to avoid inconveniences, even as police moved in to help ease the congestion.
Traffic congestion along the Nairobi-Narok stretch has become a persistent challenge for both drivers and passengers despite the government's promise to address the problem.
A similar situation was witnessed along the Kisumu-Ahero road, with a gridlock that stretched over 20 kilometres. The snarl-up started due to a funeral procession for the 27 accident victims who passed away following a crash along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway.
Following the congestion, Kisumu police officers and traffic marshals were immediately dispatched along the road to clear the vehicles which had completely blocked the road.
According to a passenger who spoke to the press, he had been stuck in the jam for over one hour without any helpful intervention from the area police.
The latest development also comes two days after motorists plying the Nairobi-Mombasa highway were stuck along the road for several hours from Wednesday night to Thursday morning.
While urging motorists to use alternative routes, the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya (LODDCA) revealed that the congestion began at the Mazeras area.
