The government has issued an explanation on why it abruptly closed down a slip road connected to Nairobi's Eastern Bypass.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 24, the state, through Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), explained that the closure of the road was necessary since it was considered a bottleneck that was causing traffic.
Motorists had raised safety concerns to the authority complaining that it had erected blockades without issuing a notice or having a warning road sign.
In its defence, the authority explained that it had made the unpopular decision in consultation with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) as well as the National Police Service.
"In collaboration with stakeholders, Police, NMS & others, traffic assessment was conducted on that section and found to be the bottleneck causing huge traffic on Airport North Road. It was then agreed to close that access.
"On the Airport North Road, one has to drive along, then U-turn to access Outering Rd. Other measures to improve the traffic along that section are bring modelled. We beg for your patience and understanding," read the statement in part.
The road, which is linked to Mombasa Road, has been a cause of immense traffic jams coming roughly three years after the iconic Taj Mall was demolished.
Road users had been angry that since its demolition in 2018, the government was yet to roll out a proper plan that would link Mombasa Road to Outer Ring Road.
"Thanks for your response. With the demolition of Taj Mall, I think it will be possible to improve access to outer ring road from mombasa rd. I also hope you will work together to clear Matatus that normally block one lane along Outer Ring near avenue park area," lamented one of the motorists.
"I almost hit that precast block blocking the slip road. I was a regular user of that road. I know every inch of it. One day, there's a slip road, the following morning it's blocked without signage," lamented another driver regarding the closure of the slip road.
Currently, numerous sections of Nairobi Roads have been closed to allow for the construction of the Nairobi Expressway leading to trumped-up traffic especially on Uhuru Highway and Mombasa Road.
In mid-May, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) had warned of the closure of the main Mombasa highway to allow for the construction of Makupa Bridge valued at Ksh4.5 billion.
Charles Njogu, assistant director of corporate communication at KeNHA, confirmed that a diversion would be created to offer an alternative route.
