MAKUENI, Kenya — Transport along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway was brought to a standstill on Saturday morning after River Sultan Hamud burst its banks, flooding sections of the road and triggering massive traffic congestion.
The flooding reportedly began late Friday near Sultan Hamud town following continuous heavy rainfall that caused the river to overflow onto the highway.
Motorists travelling along the busy corridor were forced to slow down, while others stopped entirely as the waterlogged road became difficult and dangerous to navigate.
The Nairobi–Mombasa Highway is one of the country’s most important transport routes, widely used by cargo trucks ferrying goods between the Port of Mombasa and inland regions of Kenya.
Long traffic queues are reported
Drivers and passengers reported traffic snarl-ups stretching for several kilometres, with trucks and other vehicles lining up while waiting for the flooded section to clear.
Some reports indicated the traffic jam extended all the way to Emali in Makueni County as motorists sought safe passage through the affected area.
Authorities advised motorists to avoid the flooded stretch and instead use alternative routes where possible.
Drivers travelling between Nairobi and Mombasa were urged to use the Makindu–Wote–Machakos route to bypass the affected section.
Similar disruptions on the Mai Mahiu–Narok road
Meanwhile, transport challenges were also reported along the Mai Mahiu–Narok Road due to heavy rains.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said it was working to reopen a blocked section of the road after heavy rainfall caused significant silt deposits that made the route impassable.
“Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flooded areas and to strictly follow instructions from the police and traffic marshals to prevent being washed away or getting stuck in silt deposits,” the agency said.
KeNHA urged motorists to exercise extra caution, especially along the stretch between Naivasha Inland Container Depot and Suswa Ranch.
For those yet to begin their journeys, the authority recommended using the Ngong–Suswa Road as an alternative route.
The disruptions come amid ongoing heavy rainfall across several parts of the country, raising concerns about further flooding and transport interruptions in the coming days.
