The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a two-month partial closure of a section of Thika Road to allow for construction works.
In a public notice issued on Monday, October 13, KeNHA announced that the traffic disruption would affect both the Nairobi-bound and Thika-bound service lanes at the Kihunguro area from October 20 to Saturday, December 20.
According to the Authority, the closure is necessary for the facilitation of the construction of footbridge column bases and stub columns at the location to enhance pedestrian safety.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) wishes to notify the public that a section of Thika Superhighway (A2) Road at Kihunguro will experience traffic disruption along the Nairobi and Thika-bound service lanes from Monday, 20th October, 2025, to Saturday, 20th December, 2025,” the statement read.
Motorists have been urged to adhere to the proposed traffic management plan and cooperate with police officers and traffic marshals who will be stationed at the site to ease movement and ensure safety.
Those plying the Thika route have been urged to use the main highway, particularly around the Kihunguro area, to completely steer clear of the working area at the service lanes. For Nairobi-bound motorists who have to use the exit, there is a diversion at the Total Petrol Station leading to Mark Hotel.
For those heading to Thika, the service lane will only be usable until the Shell Petrol Station, after which they will have to join the main highway for a few hundred meters before they are able to rejoin the service lane.
Construction of a footbridge at Kihunguro has been a long time coming, particularly because the area has, over the past few months, developed an infamous reputation for huge traffic snarl-ups.
Slow traffic at Kihunguro mainly stems from a renowned Zebra Crossing in the middle of the Thika Road, which has grown busier in recent months, particularly during rush hour.
Since pedestrians have to cross several lanes on both sides of Thika Road, the Zebra crossing has often led to mass delays, prompting traffic officers to be deployed in the area for regulation.
The stub columns and column bases being constructed are critical elements to ensure the stability, strength and durability of the entire footbridge.
Under normal conditions, stub columns for footbridges can take three to four weeks to construct. With this in mind, KeNHA's two-month closure of the exits suggests the authority factored in some practical considerations, including traffic conditions, unforeseen delays and the complexity of a site as busy as Thika Road.
