Nightmare on Nairobi-Mai Mahiu Road: Motorists Stranded for 15 Hours in Gridlock
Chaos gripped the Nairobi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha highway on Friday night, August 15. A massive traffic jam forced several motorists to spend the night inside their vehicles.
The gridlock, which stretched over 21 kilometers, began around 9 p.m. Frustrated passengers shared images of endless lines of buses, matatus, and private cars stuck for hours.
One motorist wrote on social media:
“We have been here since last night. Families are stranded, children are crying, and there is no way out.”
What Caused the Nightmare?
According to reports, driver indiscipline was the main cause. Many motorists overlapped, blocked lanes, and ignored traffic rules, worsening the situation.
Night of Horror as 21km Traffic Snarl-Up Paralyzes Nairobi-Naivasha Road
Attempts by police to restore order failed as the jam spilled deep into Saturday morning.
Police boss Muchiri Nyaga later explained that the downpour in Nakuru had also worsened the mess.
“This unfortunate incident was caused by several factors, the key among them being heavy rainfall and two non-injury accidents near Baruk and Soysambu,” Nyaga said.
He confirmed that the jam lasted more than 15 hours before normal traffic resumed.
Police Deploy More Officers
The ordeal sparked outrage as many Kenyans questioned why traffic control failed. Nyaga assured the public that the police had learned from the crisis.
“We have now deployed additional police officers along the highway. We urge motorists to maintain lane discipline and consider alternative routes when necessary,” he added.
KeNHA Issues Stern Warning
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) also blamed reckless drivers for the congestion. In a Saturday morning statement, the agency said:
“We are experiencing a snarl-up on the A8 between Kariandusi and Nakuru that lasted all night due to overlapping and driver indiscipline. Motorists are advised to stop overlapping, as this will assist our teams and the police to restore order.”
KeNHA advised drivers to use alternative routes, including Gilgil-Olkalou-Dundori-Lanet and Flyover-Njambini-Olkalou-Dundori-Lanet.
Motorists Share Painful Experience
“We slept on the road. Even food vendors ran out of supplies. It was hell,” another passenger lamented.
The incident has once again raised questions about Kenya’s traffic management and the need for stricter enforcement.
Nightmare on Nairobi-Mai Mahiu Road: Motorists Stranded for 15 Hours in Gridlock
