A massive sinkhole that opened at the Eveready Roundabout late Wednesday, September 4, evening brought traffic to a standstill along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, leaving motorists stranded for hours and causing a ripple effect of delays that extended into Thursday morning.
The incident occurred on the evening of September 4, forcing the closure of the affected Nakuru-bound section of the highway.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed that the sinkhole resulted from water and geological activity, prompting authorities to take urgent safety measures.
“Motorists are advised to exercise caution as they approach the area and follow directions from traffic police and marshals to ensure the safety of all road users,” the Authority had cautioned.
Motorists caught in the traffic said they were stuck for several hours as authorities intensified efforts to assess and manage the situation.
The disruption impacted both passenger and cargo transport, with long lines of vehicles stretching for kilometers on either side of the affected area.
Traffic Restored on Nairobi-Nakuru Highway
Responding to public concern, KeNHA issued a statement on September 4, assuring the public that it was working around the clock to restore normal traffic flow.
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“Traffic restoration: The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) seeks to notify the public that the Nakuru-bound carriageway of the Nakuru – Eldoret (A8) Road has been opened and traffic flow restored. The road is now safe from any further water and geological action,” the agency said in a statement.
KeNHA added that it would continue monitoring the behaviour of the pyroduct upstream to ensure the safety of all road users.
Traffic flow has since resumed on the reopened carriageway, though officials urged caution as engineers continue to monitor the structural integrity of the affected section.
Authorities have not reported any injuries or vehicle damage linked to the sinkhole.
Traffic Disruptions in the Country
The gridlock came on the back of claims that the government was intentionally engineering the disruptions.
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has been vocal in these claims, alleging that the traffic chaos is a strategic move to push through the national tolling policy, a proposal the group has urged Kenyans to oppose.
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In a statement dated Thursday, August 28, MAK criticized the government for stepping back from its responsibility to develop road infrastructure, instead favoring private foreign investors.
According to the association, this shift could lead to double taxation, as toll charges would likely be introduced under private partnerships.
MAK also questioned the use of revenue from the road maintenance fuel levy, suggesting that the funds are not being adequately used for their intended purpose, the construction and upkeep of roads.
Responding to these allegations, the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Directorate firmly denied any intentional traffic manipulation.
In a statement released by the National Treasury on Monday, September 1, the Directorate’s head, Eng. Kefa Seda dismissed the claims as inaccurate and unhelpful, stressing that they distort the broader objective of enhancing the country’s infrastructure through strategic partnerships.
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