Heavy holiday traffic on Sunday, December 28, 2025, brought movement along the Eldoret–Nairobi highway to a near standstill, leaving motorists and passengers stranded for hours.

The congestion was most severe between Gilgil and Nakuru, where vehicles queued for kilometres amid heavy rain, poor visibility, and slick road conditions.

The traffic snarls were compounded by ongoing construction along the corridor, as efforts to dual sections of the highway continue. Drivers reported that overlapping lanes and unroadworthy vehicles worsened the delays, making overtaking difficult and increasing travel times significantly.

Responding to the heavy traffic, the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association advised motorists to plan their journeys.

The festive season surge added to the pressure, as thousands of Kenyans travelled upcountry to spend the holidays with their families. The Nakuru–Eldoret highway, one of the busiest routes in the country, often experiences similar congestion during peak travel periods, and motorists have been warned to expect long delays.

Authorities urged drivers to use alternative routes. Those heading to Nakuru were advised to take the Naivasha–Njabini–Olkalou–Ol Joro Orok–Lanet route, while travellers to Western and Nyanza regions could consider the Nairobi–Suswa–Narok corridor. Drivers were also reminded to monitor official Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) channels for updates.

Several motorists reported that conditions were particularly dangerous due to the combination of rain and fog. Slippery surfaces made it impossible for some to overtake safely, forcing even motorbikes to remain stuck in the jam.

Highway improvement plans

Efforts to improve the highway continue, with the government promising that once the Rironi–Mau Summit section is fully dualled, holiday congestion should reduce significantly. President William Ruto has previously urged road users to exercise patience, noting that the current works aim to prevent similar delays in future festive seasons.

Despite the warnings, the volume of vehicles, combined with ongoing roadworks and adverse weather, led to long queues and frustrated commuters.

The traffic was also experienced earlier during the holiday break last week, with some sections affected by ongoing roadworks that slowed clearance efforts. However, drivers who attempted to overtake recklessly to transport more passengers for the festive season worsened the situation.

The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) criticised the scheduling of roadworks during the festive season, describing it as “callous” and disruptive to thousands of travellers. The association also raised concerns about artificial congestion along the Salgaa–Mau Summit corridor, which they said appeared designed to justify tolling public highways.

Local authorities and traffic agencies continue to coordinate efforts to manage the situation.

The holiday congestion highlights the urgent need for accelerated development along the Eldoret–Nairobi highway. With continued investment in road expansion and safety measures, authorities hope to reduce delays and improve travel for both private motorists and public transport operators.