Motorists using the busy Nairobi–Nakuru highway were stranded for hours on Wednesday night, September 4, after a massive sinkhole forced the closure of the Nakuru-bound carriageway at the Eveready Roundabout.
The unexpected sinkhole caused a complete shutdown of one of the busiest transport corridors in the country, with traffic tailbacks stretching for kilometres. Stranded motorists had no choice but to endure the gridlock late into the night, as frustrated passengers lamented wasted hours on the road.
By Thursday morning, traffic had yet to ease, compounding the crisis for commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) quickly moved to calm growing frustrations, issuing a statement assuring the public that engineers were working “round the clock” to restore normal traffic flow.
“This evening, the Kenya National Highways Authority closed the Nakuru-bound carriageway of the Nakuru–Eldoret (A8) Road at Eveready Roundabout following the formation of a sinkhole on the road. KeNHA is working around the clock to ensure normal traffic flow is restored,” the statement read. Motorists were advised to remain cautious, heed directions from police and marshals on-site, and use alternative routes.
Despite these assurances, many drivers decried the long hours spent in traffic, questioning KeNHA’s preparedness and road maintenance strategy. The incident has reignited debate over traffic jams in the country, with the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) accusing the government of failing in its duty to maintain roads.
MAK went further, alleging that prolonged traffic disruptions are being used to push the controversial nationwide tolling policy, an accusation strongly denied by the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Directorate.
PPP Director-General Eng. Kefa Seda dismissed the claims as “misleading,” arguing that toll concessions are part of a broader effort to modernize national infrastructure.
