NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) will temporarily close the service lanes of the Thika Superhighway at Kihunguro for a two-month period starting October 20, 2025, to facilitate the construction of a critical pedestrian footbridge.
The closure, affecting both the Nairobi-bound and Thika-bound service lanes, is scheduled to last until Saturday, December 20, 2025. In a public notice, KeNHA’s Acting Director General, Luka Kimeli, stated the project aims to resolve long-standing safety and traffic flow issues at the busy section.
“This is to allow for construction works of the Kihunguro footbridge column bases and stub columns at the section,” the notice read. “We are urging road users to be patient and cooperate with traffic marshals on site.”
The area between Juja and Ruiru has been a notorious black spot for pedestrian accidents, with residents frequently risking their lives by darting across multiple lanes of high-speed traffic in the absence of a safe crossing.
While the project promises a lasting solution to a critical safety hazard, it presents immediate logistical challenges for the thousands of motorists who rely on the Thika Superhighway daily.
During the closure, traffic will be diverted around the construction zone according to a detailed traffic management plan.
KeNHA has deployed traffic marshals and police officers to the site to guide motorists and manage congestion. The authority has strongly advised commuters to follow the proposed diversions, allow extra time for their journeys, and exercise caution when approaching the area.
“We are committed to ensuring that the construction works are completed within the scheduled period and with minimal disruption to road users,” KeNHA assured the public. “As we continue with these critical safety enhancements, we request the public’s understanding and cooperation.”
The footbridge construction is more than a traffic interruption; it is a significant intervention in public safety.
Local residents and community leaders have long advocated for such infrastructure, highlighting the numerous incidents and fatalities that have occurred at the informal crossing.
The project aligns with a broader national infrastructure program aimed at modernizing Kenya’s key transport corridors and improving safety standards. However, the implementation often forces a difficult balance between future benefits and present disruption.
Motorists, particularly commercial transport operators, have expressed concern over the potential for severe traffic build-up. “Any closure on the Thika Road, even on the service lanes, causes a ripple effect of delays,” said John Mwangi, a matatu driver plying the route. “We hope the authorities will manage the flow efficiently to protect our businesses.”
KeNHA has reiterated its commitment to the timeline, emphasizing that the temporary inconvenience will ultimately yield significant benefits for both pedestrians and motorists by creating a safer, more orderly traffic environment.
