KeNHA blamed for neglect as potholes turn Kisumu–Busia Road into a nightmare
By Martin Oduor, November 17, 2025The 112-kilometre Kisumu–Busia highway, once a vital link to Uganda and East Africa’s markets, has deteriorated into a dangerous stretch of road, raising public anger and renewed calls for Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) accountability.
Years of limited maintenance have left the road badly eroded, with crumbling edges and deep potholes scattered across nearly every stretch of the route.
The Yala–Ugunja segment has deteriorated the most, with drivers describing it as “an obstacle course rather than a highway,” citing constant danger and near-misses.
While authorities have carried out occasional patch-ups, the fixes rarely last. Each rainy season washes away the repairs, causing the potholes to grow larger and deeper, exposing even slow-moving heavy vehicles to costly breakdowns.
Frustrated travellers have turned to social media to voice their anger, sharing images of blown-out tyres, stranded buses, and flooded craters.
One cyclist who identified himself as Dev Siro (@SiroDevs) recounted a harrowing experience after striking a hidden pothole.
“Good afternoon from Uganda. Kisumu Busia road is decorated with huge portholes I hit one just before Busia and got punctured on both wheels plus a jump. I sorted the jump at the boarder after checking in. My ETA to Kampala is going to be 10pm. Kampala nitafika leo!” @SiroDevs tweeted on November 9, 2025.
The Motorist Association has added its voice, warning of possible casualties if the situation remains unaddressed.
“Fredrick Oscar Ochieng Owino You have to be very brave to drive on this road at night, and worse still when raining. Kisumu-Busia Highway has dangerous potholes and dilapidated sections,” @motoristsoffice tweeted on November 14, 2025.
Pressure is mounting on KeNHA for a long-term solution, particularly as the government invests diplomatic and financial capital in a new multinational expressway expected to replace part of the old route.
Multinational expressway
Even as complaints intensify, East African Community officials, Kenyan and Ugandan representatives, and the African Development Bank are finalising plans for a 193-kilometre expressway connecting Kisumu and Busia to Kakira and Malaba in Uganda.
The road, part of the Northern Transport Corridor, is positioned as a flagship integration project intended to slash transport costs, accelerate regional trade and support a seamless cross-border logistics network.
During a two-day Market Sounding Conference held in Kampala on October 20, 2025, officials stated that the project is “investment-ready,” with both nations set to undertake different components.
Under a Public-Private Partnership, Uganda will build a new expressway from Jinja to Busesa and dual the Busesa–Malaba and Busitema–Busia links.
Kenya will upgrade the Kisumu bypass, improve regional corridors, and modernise border clearance systems at Malaba and Busia.
When completed, the expressway will originate in Kisumu and snake through Kisian, Maseno, Luanda, Yala, Ugunja, Sega, Bumala, and Busia, before crossing into Uganda and stretching toward Kampala via Iganga and Jinja.
Questions linger
While the proposed expressway promises a solution for future travellers, residents and transport operators remain sceptical — and impatient.
They argue that the current highway cannot be ignored or abandoned while awaiting a mega-project still at the planning stage.
Local business owners say the deplorable road conditions have increased vehicle maintenance costs, disrupted delivery schedules, and discouraged tourism in western Kenya.
Public service drivers warn that the route could soon become impassable if urgent intervention is not taken.
For now, KeNHA faces an uncomfortable reckoning: a crucial highway is falling apart, and those who rely on it every day are running out of patience — and spare tyres.