The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Sunday, April 30, announced a temporary closure of the busy Mai Mahiu road.
Through a public notice, the Authority revealed that motorists would not be able to use Mai Mahiu - Narok Highway.
This was after the busy highway often used by trucks and lorries developed cracks making it a danger to vehicles plying on the route.
“KeNHA would like to notify motorists and the general public about the closure of Mai Mahiu - Narok Highway.
“This closure has been occasioned by a severe crack that has occurred six kilometres from Mai Mahiu Town towards Mai Mahiu, cutting across the road and thus rendering the road unsafe to motorists,” the notice read in part.
On why the cracks developed, KeNHA noted, “The cause of the crack has not been established, though preliminary reports attribute it to the ongoing rains.”
The government agency further added that the road was being periodically affected by earth movements.
“As KeNHA embarks on restoration works at the affected area, all road users plying the Mai Mahiu - Narok route are advised to use alternative routes,” motorists were advised.
The alternative routes include; Narok - Kisiriri - Mau Summit - Njoro turn off (B18) Road, to join Nakuru and other destinations or Narok - Bomet - Kaplong (B6) Road and connect to Kaplong - Kericho (B7) Road.
“The Authority is working round the clock to restore the damaged section of the road,” affected Kenyans were assured.
This is not the first time the road had to be closed due to suspected earth movements.
In 2018, a large crack, stretching several kilometres developed on the Narok - Mai Mahiu road, which geologists claimed was a result of a slow separation of the Somali plate from the rest of Africa.
