Motorists using the Thika Superhighway on Saturday, August 22, faced major delays after a truck broke down near Blue Post while reports emerged of armed individuals blocking sections of the busy highway.
The traffic congestion was reported to stretch from around Weteithie and Juja to areas beyond Del Monte, with motorists experiencing minimal movement along the affected sections.
According to affected motorists, the breakdown occurred just past Blue Post on the road towards Nyeri. Efforts to remove the truck from the highway are believed to have contributed to the extensive traffic snarl.
Armed Groups Block Thika Superhighway
The situation was further complicated by groups of individuals armed with pangas blocking parts of the Thika Superhighway.
The individuals first blocked the highway near Montezuma before moving towards the Makenji and Kabati areas along the Kenol-Makenji stretch.
Reports indicated that they used stones to obstruct the road.
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The incidents caused further disruption along an already congested corridor, with motorists caught between the traffic caused by the stalled lorry and the reported road blockages.
The reported road blockages have been linked to anger following the recent police shooting of a young man who was allegedly involved in pineapple theft at Del Monte Farm.
Local accounts indicated that some of those involved in the disruption were allegedly linked to activities in the area.
The reports also described the incidents as involving both protest and alleged extortion of motorists.
Police increased deployment along parts of the Embu-Nairobi and Thika corridor as authorities responded to the developing situation.
The situation remains fluid as motorists continue to experience delays along the affected sections of the highway.
Thika Superhighway’s Long History of Traffic Disruptions
The Thika Superhighway has frequently experienced traffic congestion despite being one of Kenya’s major modern road networks.
Heavy traffic is common on weekends, public holidays, and peak commuting hours, as thousands of motorists travel between Nairobi and towns in Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, and other parts of the Mt Kenya region.
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The highway has also been disrupted by vehicle breakdowns, road accidents, and public demonstrations.
In July 2025, motorists were stranded for hours following a multi-vehicle accident involving several trucks near the Blue Post area. The incident caused heavy traffic that stretched for several kilometres towards Juja and Ruiru.
The corridor has also recorded repeated gridlock during peak holiday travel periods, particularly around Mang’u, Blue Post, Juja and Kenol, where increased traffic volumes often slow movement.
Similar congestion has been reported following truck breakdowns and accidents along the superhighway, with some incidents causing delays lasting several hours.
In 2024, anti-government demonstrations also affected sections of the corridor, forcing police to redirect traffic and resulting in queues on both the Nairobi-bound and Thika-bound carriageways.
The Blue Post section of the Thika Superhighway has also previously been the scene of several accidents that have disrupted traffic along the busy corridor.
The area has also witnessed several multi-vehicle collisions over the years due to the heavy traffic flow connecting Thika, Kenol, Murang’a and Nyeri. In one incident, a crash near Blue Post left one person dead and 17 others injured.
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