Trapped in the Gridlock: The Gilgil–Naivasha Traffic Nightmare
For two consecutive days, motorists and especially truck drivers along the Gilgil–Naivasha stretch of the Northern Corridor have endured a relentless traffic jam. Many have gone without sleep, food, washrooms, or medical care, and the risk of fatigue-induced accidents has surged. As one frustrated driver shared: “It is too much, and it must be addressed immediately.”
The Human Toll: Safety, Health, and Livelihood
With drivers forced to sleep in their vehicles and stranded on the road overnight, every moment becomes a struggle. There are growing concerns about road safety, drivers’ health, and the security of goods being transported. The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) and the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) have sounded the alarm, warning of “unbearable conditions” and calling for urgent intervention.
Where Are the Authorities?
This crisis was anticipated, yet Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and the National Police Service (NPS) have failed to put in place effective measures to prevent, control, or mitigate the situation. Instead, motorists are left to suffer in silence.
Why should Kenyans always pay the price for poor planning and lax enforcement?
- KeNHA: Where were the proactive diversions, emergency lanes, and alternative route signage before traffic reached crisis level?
- NTSA: Where is your presence in protecting drivers from fatigue, ensuring their safety, and addressing health and road safety risks?
- NPS: Where was the traffic coordination to control overlapping and discipline on the highway before chaos erupted?
It is time to stop shifting blame to “driver indiscipline” alone and take responsibility. These institutions exist to serve road users—not to issue excuses when gridlock brings the entire corridor to a standstill.
What’s Driving the Chaos?
- NYS Graduation Surge
The gridlock began on Thursday afternoon when thousands converged on Gilgil for the National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out parade attended by President Ruto. Many motorists set off on their return journeys the same evening, compressing traffic into an already strained corridor. - Driver Indiscipline and Overlapping Lanes
KeNHA attributes much of the congestion to lane overlapping—drivers encroaching into adjacent lanes in attempts to bypass queued traffic. This chaos was a major factor in the gridlock stretching from Naivasha to Kikopey, which began around 8:30 pm on Thursday.
Official Response: Divert and Discipline
- Alternative Routes Suggested
Authorities recommended detours including:- Gilgil → Olkalou → Dundori → Lanet
- Flyover → Njambini → Olkalou → Dundori → Lanet
- Calls for Lane Discipline
Both authorities and road users have been urged to stop overlapping and show patience on the road. But without proper enforcement and proactive traffic management, these calls fall flat.
Recurring Pain Points
This isn’t the first time the Northern Corridor has been seized by chaos:
- In May 2025, KeNHA warned of a major overnight snarl-up between Kariandusi and Nakuru, also urging motorists to take alternate routes.
A Broader Call for Action
Kenyan drivers are demanding more than just diversions—they want proactive, temporary measures while long-term solutions like the Rironi–Mau Summit Expressway are being built.
What Must Be Done — NOW
- Deploy emergency lanes or controlled diversions near the Gilgil weighbridge for immediate relief.
- Bring in mobile rest facilities—portable toilets, water stations, and first-aid tents—for stranded motorists.
- Strengthen real-time traffic monitoring and updates, including signals, alerts, and on-ground marshals.
- Fast-track the Rironi–Mau Summit Expressway project to build resiliency into the network.
This gridlock is more than an inconvenience. It’s a crisis of safety, health, and economic stability.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and the National Police Service (NPS) must step up and act now—before drivers’ lives, goods, and livelihoods are put at further risk.
