The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a warning to motorists following the collapse of a key section of the Muthaiga–Kiambu (B32) Road.
In a notice on Tuesday, September 9, KeNHA confirmed that the affected area lies between Fourways Junction and St. Mary's School–Runda, near the Total Petrol Station–Fourways area.
“We wish to notify and caution motorists using the Muthaiga–Kiambu Road of a section of the road pavement that has collapsed,” the statement read in part.
The roads authority further revealed that a section of the road has since been barricaded to prevent further damage and ensure public safety. In the meantime, road users have been urged to adhere to traffic guidance provided by marshals and police officers at the scene.
Images shared by KeNHA depict a concerning situation, with the road collapse likely discovered early on Tuesday morning.
The photos show a gaping hole surrounded by visible cracks, indicating that further damage could occur if the road continues to be used.
In the meantime, KeNHA engineers and support teams have been deployed to assess the extent of the damage and begin necessary repairs.
The authority, however, did not provide a timeline for full restoration of normal traffic, with the collapse likely to cause traffic disruptions on the already-busy corridor which connects Nairobi to parts of Kiambu County.
This is the second incident where a sinkhole appeared on a major road, coming days after KeNHA issued a caution to motorists following a similar phenomenon along the Nakuru–Eldoret Highway near the Eveready roundabout.
On September 5, the sinkhole reappeared just 48 hours after KeNHA repaired the section, causing fresh cracks and fears of a wider collapse.
While some sinkholes are at times triggered by man-made activities such as drilling, mining or broken water pipes, more often than not, these depressions naturally occur due to underlying geological conditions.
In urban areas, poor drainage system can exacerbate the issue of sinkholes since it allows water to accumulate, increasing pressure on soil.
Besides natural phenomenon, human activity can also indirectly lead to sink holes. Poorly managed construction or excessive agricultural can lead to soil subsidence, which compromises structural integrity of the ground, making it more prone to collapse.
