The traffic situation along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, which had caused significant disruptions for over 10 hours, is steadily improving, according to the East African Community (EAC) Principal Secretary, Caroline Karugu. The gridlock, which began on Friday evening at 6 p.m., was primarily caused by two separate accidents at Soysambu and Mbaruk, compounded by adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain. This caused hundreds of motorists to be stranded between Kariandusi and Nakuru, unable to proceed due to what the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) described as overlapping vehicles and driver indiscipline.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway is a vital artery in Kenya’s transport network, playing a crucial role in regional trade. It forms part of the Northern Corridor, a key route that connects the Port of Mombasa to other East African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This highway serves as an essential trade link for both goods and people within the region, which makes any disruption particularly impactful not only for local motorists but also for cross-border commerce.
The Ministry of East African Community Affairs quickly mobilized a response to manage the situation and ease the heavy traffic buildup. Karugu explained that sufficient manpower had been deployed to address the gridlock, ensuring that normal traffic flow could be restored as quickly as possible. In a bid to prevent similar incidents in the future, she confirmed that the government was actively working on long-term solutions to improve traffic management on key highways.
In response to the situation, the Principal Secretary said that she had personally communicated with the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to coordinate efforts aimed at clearing the traffic and ensuring that such disruptions do not occur again. Karugu also commended the swift actions of various government agencies, including the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), KeNHA, and the security agencies, who worked together to resolve the crisis. Their collective efforts were crucial in minimizing the disruption and restoring order on the highway.
The government’s rapid response reflects Kenya’s broader commitment to improving infrastructure and regional integration within the East African Community. Karugu reassured the public and regional stakeholders that Kenya remains dedicated to enhancing cross-border movement of goods and people in line with the vision of a more integrated and prosperous East African Community. She also emphasized the government’s dedication to removing non-tariff barriers and fostering better infrastructure across the region to promote intra-regional trade.
The Ministry expressed its appreciation for the cooperation and patience shown by transporters, traders, and the general public throughout the ordeal. In particular, they acknowledged the challenges faced by motorists who were forced to wait for hours as traffic continued to build up. The Ministry has promised to provide regular updates on the situation and collaborate with regional agencies to share timely information with the public.
As Kenya continues to lead in the East African Community’s regional integration efforts, the country is determined to ensure that infrastructure issues such as these are addressed proactively. Karugu emphasized that Kenya’s role as the chair of the EAC under President William Ruto’s leadership remains focused on enhancing the movement of people and goods, ultimately contributing to the region’s economic growth and stability. The incident on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway serves as a reminder of the importance of well-coordinated responses to maintain smooth trade and transportation networks.
