Traffic Gridlock Hits Mai Mahiu Escarpment as Rescue Operation Blocks Highway

Traffic Gridlock Hits Mai Mahiu Escarpment as Rescue Operation Blocks Highway

Motorists using the busy Mai Mahiu Escarpment faced lengthy delays on Sunday, September 20, after a heavy crane operation occupied part of the Naivasha-Narok Highway.

The operation left motorists with limited space to pass, triggering a traffic buildup along the major transport corridor linking Nairobi, Naivasha, Narok and parts of Western Kenya.

Images from the scene showed two mobile cranes positioned on the highway from about 9am, with one marked “Wide Load.” One of the cranes had its boom extended over the roadside barrier towards the valley below.

Workers and onlookers were also seen gathered near the guardrail as the operation continued.

Heavy cranes disrupt traffic

The positioning of the machinery reduced the available carriageway, forcing motorists to squeeze through the remaining space.

Vehicles could be seen forming queues as drivers approached the affected section, with the congestion slowing movement along the escarpment.

The exact nature of the operation had not been officially confirmed by the time of reporting.

Motorists were advised to exercise caution, follow instructions from traffic officers and consider alternative routes if the delays persisted.

The disruption is significant because the Mai Mahiu route serves as an important link between Nairobi and western parts of Kenya. It also carries passenger vehicles, trucks and other commercial traffic throughout the day.

Alternative routes for motorists

Drivers heading towards Nakuru and Western Kenya could use the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway through Rironi and Flyover, depending on traffic conditions.

Motorists seeking to avoid congestion around the Naivasha and Mai Mahiu corridors could also use the Flyover-Njabini-Ol Kalou-Dundori-Lanet-Nakuru route.

Another alternative is the Thika-Magumu-Njabini-Ol Kalou-Dundori-Lanet-Nakuru route.

Travellers heading further west could connect through Nairobi-Nyeri-Nyahururu-Nakuru, while those travelling towards Narok, Kisii and Maasai Mara could consider the Ngong-Kibiko-Suswa route before joining the Narok-Mai Mahiu Highway beyond the affected area.

Road safety concerns remain

The latest traffic disruption comes against the backdrop of continued road safety concerns along the Mau Escarpment, Mau Summit and Mai Mahiu corridors.

The routes feature steep sections and areas with limited visibility, while heavy commercial traffic can further complicate movement.

Fog and rainfall can also make driving conditions more difficult, particularly for motorists unfamiliar with the terrain.

Several serious crashes have previously been reported along the wider corridor.

On September 5, a 14-seater Kapsowar Shuttle reportedly crashed into a stationary truck at Twin Bridge in Mau Summit along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.

The accident, which occurred at about 3am, left several people dead and others injured.

The latest congestion at Mai Mahiu was not immediately linked to a road crash, with available information indicating that the heavy crane operation was responsible for the disruption.

Motorists using the route were urged to plan their journeys carefully, allow extra travel time and remain alert when approaching the affected section.

Traffic officers were expected to continue managing traffic around the operation as efforts continued to restore normal movement along the busy highway.

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Traffic Gridlock Hits Mai Mahiu Escarpment as Rescue Operation Blocks Highway