As Kenya grapples with a growing traffic menace that has increasingly been linked to road accidents and economic losses, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is rolling out a mix of road dualling and smart traffic-management systems to restore order on major highways.

The initiative targets chronic congestion points along key transport corridors, where long queues, delays, and risky driving behaviour have become common.

At the heart of the intervention is the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway, the country’s busiest freight route and a lifeline for regional trade, which is prone to traffic jams and accidents.

Heavy commercial traffic from the port of Mombasa, combined with limited road capacity and outdated control systems, has for years strained this corridor.

The authority says the solution lies not only in expanding road space through dualling, but also in deploying intelligent systems that improve efficiency, safety and predictability for motorists.

KeNHA External Auditor Victor Kithome explains that the authority’s mandate extends beyond managing weighbridges to overseeing the entire road network that supports port operations.

“Apart from managing the weighbridge facility, we also manage road networks,” he said, adding that infrastructure and traffic control must work together to achieve lasting results.

The traffic system

The dualling project from the port of Mombasa towards Mariakani is already at an advanced stage, with more than 80 per cent of the works complete.

The expanded carriageway has significantly increased capacity, allowing traffic to flow more smoothly even during peak hours. According to Kithome, this has been a game-changer for an area that was once synonymous with endless truck queues.

Attention has now narrowed to Mariakani, historically one of the worst bottlenecks on the Northern Corridor.

The congestion, largely caused by trucks stopping at the weighbridge, often spills onto the highway, increasing the risk of accidents and frustrating motorists.

KeNHA has installed high-speed weigh-in-motion systems at the Mariakani weighbridge, enabling compliant trucks to be weighed as they move, without coming to a complete stop.

This smart technology screens vehicles in real time, he said allows those within legal limits to bypass the weighbridge altogether.

 “We previously had serious traffic problems in Mariakani, but nowadays there is a smooth flow of traffic,” Kithome said.

“The benefits to motorists are already evident. Reduced stoppages mean shorter travel times, lower fuel consumption and less driver fatigue. The separation of traffic through additional lanes has also minimised conflict between slow-moving trucks and smaller vehicles, improving overall road safety,” he explained.

KeNHA says the combination of dualling and smart systems is a long-term investment designed to match rising traffic volumes and support regional trade.

The authority believes the model can be replicated across other major highways, signalling a new era of smarter, safer traffic management in Kenya.