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KeNHA, Kenya Railways seek to ease Mombasa road traffic

By Amina Wako September 7th, 2021 2 min read

Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has urged motorists to use commuter trains to ease traffic along Mombasa road caused by the construction of the Nairobi Expressway.

In a public notice, the Authority announced it had partnered with Kenya Railways to introduce additional wagons along the busy route.

“The Kenya Railways management has undertaken to secure all vehicles parked at Syokimau Train Station as the vehicle owners transit to the train en route to the CBD,” the notice read in part.

Kenya Railways Managing Director, Philip Maingi confirmed the increased number of commuter trains between the inter-stations as it bids to ease the congestion on Mombasa road.

“Traffic has been a great issue for passengers using Mombasa Road. Starting Monday (September 6, 2021) we will increase the number of commuter trains to help ease the situation.”

“We will increase the number of coaches to and from the Athi River station and all inter-stations along that route. When we talk of a train with 20 coaches, we are talking of a trip of 1,000 people. That is a big number. We will also have an additional DMU to Nairobi central,” Mr. Maingi.

KeNHA Acting Director-General David Muchilwa also noted there will still be traffic congestion on some parts of the highway due to the ongoing construction.

“The sections along the road, where traffic congestion could still be experienced, include areas currently under intervention as indicated below: installation of steel and concrete hoarding at the Gateway Mall area; improvement of directional U-turns at various points e.g at k2+300, Mlolongo and blocking of an illegal U-turn at k3+300.”

Muchilwa noted improvements in traffic since the formation of a multi-agency team to oversee the role.

Last week, KeNHA announced the projected dates for re-opening of the roads which have been affected by the ongoing construction.

The JKIA to Mlolongo section along Mombasa road, will be opened partially from September 10, 2021, and be fully re-opened on September 30, 2021.

The Westlands to James Gichuru section will be re-opened on September 30, 2021, while the Haile Selassie to UoN Roundabout section will be re-opened on October 15, 2021.

The Authority also confirmed that the elevated section of the expressway referred to as the viaduct stands at 73.2 percent completion.