Motorists Urged to Avoid These 5 Nairobi Roads as Traffic
Nairobi Traffic Disruption Alert: What You Need to Know
If you’re driving through Nairobi today brace for major traffic headaches. A new government traffic advisory has warned motorists of likely disruptions across five major roads in Nairobi, with additional alerts spreading to nine other counties.
Whether you are commuting for work heading to school runs, or planning a weekend escape, understanding these traffic updates could save you hours of gridlock frustration.
The 5 Nairobi Roads to Avoid Right Now
According to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the National Police Service the following Nairobi highways are utmost affected:
1. Uhuru Highway Traffic Update
Expect heavy traffic delays, especially near Central Business District (CBD) access points due to possible ongoing roadworks and police diversions.
2. Waiyaki Way Congestion
Inbound lanes are experiencing severe congestion during rush hour likely linked to infrastructure projects nearby Westlands and Kangemi.
3. Thika Road Delays
A critical artery connecting Nairobi to Kiambu and central Kenya, Thika Superhighway is backed up in numerous sections particularly around Githurai and Muthaiga interchanges.
4. Mombasa Road Traffic Jam
Long-standing issues through ongoing Nairobi Expressway maintenance combined with trailer collisions near Syokimau, have produced a traffic nightmare.
5. Lang’ata Road Closures
Motorists heading toward Karen, Wilson Airport, and Uhuru Gardens should expect lane closures and police-controlled redirection.
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Widening the Scope: Traffic Disruption Hits 9 Counties
While Nairobi bears the brunt motorists in nine other counties must also prepare for delays. Though official sources have not listed them explicitly likely impacted areas include:
Counties with Likely Delays:
- Kiambu County – Kiambu Road traffic congested from spillover delays.
- Machakos County – Disruption near Athi River and Syokimau.
- Kajiado County – Heavy traffic reported along Namanga Road.
- Nakuru County – Highway congestion near Salgaa and Gilgil.
- Murang’a County – Road repairs ongoing in parts of Kangema.
- Nyeri County – Delays on the Nyeri Karatina stretch.
- Kisumu County – Inner-city congestion due to market day activity.
- Mombasa County – Mombasa Road and ferry points are heavily gridlocked.
- Uasin Gishu County – Traffic buildup in Eldoret CBD reported.
What’s Causing These Disruptions?
While authorities havenot specified exact causes for the current alert past patterns advise these likely triggers:
- Road maintenance and construction
- Major events (e.g., marathons, state visits, or school openings)
- Police checkpoints and highway safety crackdowns
- Weather disruptions, including floods or poor visibility
- Public demonstrations and political gatherings
Kenya Motorist Advisory: What You Should Do
To avoid getting stuck in the traffic chaos, here’s what you can do:
- Plan your route in advance using live Google Maps or Waze.
- Monitor KURA and NTSA social media updates for real-time alerts.
- Leave earlier to allow for longer commutes.
- Use alternative routes such as Southern Bypass, Eastern Bypass, and Ngong Road.
- Stay tuned to local radio stations for on-the-go updates.
Nairobi Traffic Delays in Numbers
| Road | Avg. Delay (Minutes) | Alternative Route |
| Uhuru Highway | 35 | Southern Bypass |
| Waiyaki Way | 40 | James Gichuru Rd |
| Thika Road | 50 | Eastern Bypass |
| Mombasa Road | 55 | Nairobi Expressway |
| Lang’ata Road | 30 | Ngong Road |
Data based on aggregated reports from Google Maps and NTSA (May 2025)
Final Thoughts + Call to Action
Kenya’s road networks are the arteries of our nation. Don’t let traffic delays disrupt your productivity or peace of mind. Stay updated, stay alert, and share this advisory with fellow motorists.