The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced the closure of a major road within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
In a notice shared on Friday, February 6, 2026, KeNHA Acting Director General Luka Kimeli notified the public that a section of the Uhuru Highway between the University of Nairobi Roundabout and the Westlands Roundabout will be closed for highway maintenance.
According to the notice, the closure will take effect every night from Friday, February 6, 2026, to Friday, February 13, 2026.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) notifies the public that a section of Uhuru Highway (A8 Road) between the University of Nairobi Roundabout and Westlands Roundabout will be temporarily closed every night from Friday, February 6, 2026, to Friday, February 13, 2026, between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am. This closure is to allow for highway maintenance works on the road section.”
KenHA issues alternative routes
The authority further shared alternative routes for motorists intending to access the affected road. As per the notice, all motorists intending to access Uhuru Highway and Chiromo Road (Nakuru-bound) can use Nyerere Road, Arboretum Drive, Westlands Ring Road, or the Nairobi Expressway.
On the other hand, motorists intending to join the Uhuru Highway, Mombasa-bound, can use alternative routes such as Parklands Ring Road, Ojijo Road, Kipande Road, Limuru Road, University Way, and the Nairobi Expressway.
“Motorists are advised to follow the proposed traffic management plan as well as cooperate with the police and traffic marshals on site. Normal traffic operations on the road will be restored upon completion of the works,” KeNHA added.
Uhuru Highway is one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors and a critical section of the A8 road network, linking the Nairobi CBD to the wider Mombasa–Nairobi highway.
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The road serves as a vital urban artery, separating the CBD from Upper Hill and surrounding residential zones, and provides a continuous connection from Mlolongo through the Nairobi Expressway to Westlands along Waiyaki Way, forming part of the Northern Corridor.
The highway operates well beyond its original design capacity, underscoring its strategic importance to movement within the capital.
The corridor has an estimated daily traffic flow of more than 80,000 vehicles and is currently undergoing significant transformation as part of ongoing efforts to modernise Nairobi’s transport system.
The current maintenance works form part of a broader rehabilitation and beautification programme targeting the Mombasa Road–Uhuru Highway corridor.
JKIA–Westlands highway upgrade and beautification project
President William Ruto, in December 2025, announced the comprehensive facelift covering the stretch between the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and ABC Place in Westlands as part of a wider government plan to modernise Nairobi’s transport network.
Speaking during the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, the President said the initiative aims to restore the lower highway following strain experienced during the construction of the Nairobi Expressway.
“Because the Expressway is complete, the lower road has experienced challenges. Therefore, beginning this December — as you travel home for the holidays — we will re-carpet the road from JKIA to ABC and undertake beautification works to ensure Nairobi reflects its status as Kenya’s capital city.”
Following the announcement, KeNHA formally handed over the JKIA–Westlands highway rehabilitation and beautification project to the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
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The upgrade focuses on restoring and improving the lower-deck roads, including Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, and Waiyaki Way, which were affected during construction of the elevated expressway.
The project spans approximately 27 kilometres from JKIA to ABC Place along James Gichuru Road and includes landscaping, median restoration and flower planting, construction of dedicated cycling lanes and pedestrian walkways, improved storm water drainage, installation of modern Victorian-style street lighting, and enhanced safety signage.
At the same time, complementary infrastructure works continue along the lower highway. Among them is the ongoing construction of the Greenpark Pedestrian Underpass at the junction of Haile Selassie Avenue and Uhuru Highway, a 500-metre underground walkway designed to ease congestion and enhance pedestrian safety.
The facility, estimated to cost about Ksh2 billion, will feature lifts, escalators, CCTV surveillance, retail shops, and a police post. Routine road maintenance, periodic realignments, and pedestrian improvements along the corridor have also contributed to temporary traffic disruptions in recent months.
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