KeNHA warns of heavy traffic congestion on Nairobi–Nakuru Highway
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 20, 2025The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has warned motorists of heavy traffic congestion on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.
In a statement posted on Saturday, December 20, 2025, the authority said the congestion is due to a significant increase in traffic volumes along various sections of the road. KeNHA noted that lane indiscipline and overlapping vehicles were major contributors to the slow movement.
“The @KeNHAKenya wishes to notify motorists travelling between Nairobi and Nakuru that there has been a significant increase in traffic volumes, leading to congestion at various sections of the road. The congestion is largely due to lane indiscipline and overlapping,” the authority posted on its official social media account.
The warning comes after motorists endured long delays on Friday, December 19, when heavy traffic forced many to spend the night on the highway. Reports indicated that gridlock stretched several kilometres, particularly along the Mai Mahiu stretch in Naivasha and the Salgaa–Mau Summit section.
Both lanes were affected, leaving public service vehicles (PSVs) and private cars stuck for more than seven hours.
The congestion was partly caused by ongoing roadworks, which slowed clearance efforts. However, drivers who attempted to overtake recklessly to transport more passengers for the festive season worsened the situation.
Some motorists and passengers, unable to find shelter, spent the night in their vehicles. Footage shared by media outlets showed long lines of buses, trailers, and private cars moving at a very slow pace.
MAK slams KeNHA planning
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) criticised KeNHA for what they described as poor planning. In a statement on Saturday morning, MAK claimed that the authority was deliberately creating artificial congestion along the Salgaa–Mau Summit corridor to justify tolling public highways.
The association argued that scheduling roadworks during peak festive travel was insensitive and disrupted thousands of motorists.
“Scheduling and timing road works when thousands of Kenyans are travelling for the holidays is callous, insensitive, and directly contradicts KeNHA’s stated mandate of providing seamless connectivity,” MAK said. The association called for accountability, transparency, and planning that prioritises safety, mobility, and motorists’ dignity.
Separately, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) addressed circulating reports that drivers were being chased by authorities at Lukenya. NTSA denied the claims, describing them as inaccurate. The authority urged motorists to focus on safe driving, observe speed limits, maintain safe distances, use seat belts, and conduct regular vehicle checks.