Photo: Courtesy
Hundreds of motorists experienced a nightmare on Friday night as they were trapped on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway for over 12 hours.
The cause of this massive traffic jam was likely due to an accident or roadworks, creating a significant bottleneck and severely disrupting travel plans. Such extended delays are not uncommon on this busy route, especially during peak travel times or under adverse weather conditions.
The authorities would typically work to clear the blockage and restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.
During the ordeal, some motorists resorted to lighting fires on the road to stay warm, as temperatures in the area can drop to around six degrees Celsius. The police attributed the severe traffic disruption to earlier protests by locals in the Kijabe area, who had blocked the road in a dispute with Kenya Power and Lighting. This blockage compounded the difficulties faced by travelers, causing significant delays and discomfort.
They claimed a transformer had been stolen hence the situation.
The chaos went on affecting the traffic flow.
The traffic chaos on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway began near Limuru around 5 pm on Friday and persisted throughout the night, leaving many motorists stranded for over 12 hours. As the situation worsened, police officers, overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, withdrew, causing further confusion and disorder. Motorists, eager to reach western Kenya for the weekend, faced severe delays and had to spend the night at Kimende, Sokomjinga, and other nearby centers.
With temperatures dropping to six degrees Celsius, desperate travelers lit bonfires to stay warm, and images of these scenes spread rapidly on social media. The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has yet to provide an explanation for the prolonged gridlock. Travelers took to social media to vent their frustrations and demand a swift resolution, but as dawn broke on Saturday, there was still no sig
