A major traffic snarl-up was experienced along Thika Road following an accident involving a lorry and a 14-seater PSV on the evening of Monday, January 16.
Preliminary reports indicate the accident took place near the GSU Headquarters on the lower section near Alsops, bringing traffic to a near standstill during the peak hours.
Motorists heading towards Kahawa West, Githurai 44 and 45, Kahawa Sukari, and Ruiru were the most affected, with traffic stretching the Survey of Kenya area.
In a statement, the Motorists Association of Kenya confirmed the incident, warning that traffic had built up on both sides of the road and urging drivers to exercise caution while using the service lanes.
Motorists have since been advised to use alternative routes, including Kiambu Road, then connect through the Northern Bypass before rejoining Thika Road at Ruiru to avoid the congestion.
Photos and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed the lorry involved in the incident had toppled in the middle of the road, completely blocking traffic for motorists using the busy highway. The lorry appeared to be ferrying, among other items, jerrycans.
A few metres ahead, the matatu was at the scene, upright but out of position, with witnesses stating the PSV had been struck from behind.
Public service vehicles operating along the corridor were also caught in the gridlock, worsening delays for commuters heading back home from work.
At the time of publication, it remains unclear whether there were casualties from the incident, and the lorry had not been cleared from the road, raising concerns about prolonged disruption if action is delayed.
The Motorists’ Association has called on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to urgently clear the scene to prevent the situation from escalating.
Thika Road is one of Nairobi’s busiest highways, and even minor disruptions often result in hours-long traffic jams.
Accidents along this highway are typically coupled with huge traffic snarl-ups, with motorists often advised to plan their journeys in advance, monitor traffic updates, and consider alternative routes until the situation is resolved.
