Motorists plying Thika Road were on Monday, June 5, forced to seek alternative routes after a 14-seater matatu overturned around the Survey area of the busy highway.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, motorists using the road lamented that they were stuck in traffic for close to an hour while trying to access Thika Road from Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
According to the motorists, the accident had caused a traffic snarl-up on two lanes forcing commuters to spend hours in traffic.
Reports indicated that the accident was caused by confusion between a matatu and a bus forcing the driver of the matatu to sway before overturning around the Survey area.
No casualties were confirmed by the time of publishing.
The accidents caused a traffic jam that stretched all the way to the outskirts of Nairobi CBD, as per commuters who ply the route.
"A car has overturned in the middle of Thika Highway outward bound at Utalii College. Traffic is crazy," Mister Albie advised
"There is an accident near the survey of Kenya on Thika road. A 14-seater matatu is lying on the road." Kimani wa Ngina stated.
The latest data by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicated that Thika Road was ranked seventh among the most dangerous roads in Kenya. Outer Ring Road led the list followed by Waiyaki Way.
Others included Mombasa Road, Northern Bypass, Southern Bypass, Eastern Bypass, and Kangundo Road.
Further, NTSA warned motorists to adhere to traffic laws, especially during the rainy season that had kicked off across major parts of the country.
"In the past, we have witnessed unnecessary loss of lives due to poor judgment. Incidents of drivers operating school buses, public service vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles in an attempt to drive through water resulted in both serious and fatal injuries.
"We call upon drivers not to endanger their lives and that of their passengers as hydroplaning (when the tires on one's vehicle lose their grip on a road surface) is a serious threat during the rainy season," read NTSA's statement in part.
