Festive Travel Paralyzes Nakuru–Eldoret Highway, Thousands Stranded Near Gilgil

Traffic on the Nakuru–Eldoret highway was brought to a halt on Sunday, 28 December, leaving thousands of travellers stranded for hours near Gilgil during peak holiday travel.

Movement along the busy corridor slowed to a standstill as vehicles queued for kilometres with little progress. Images shared by the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association showed extensive congestion across several sections of the road. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said the delays were caused by increased holiday traffic, heavy rainfall, and ongoing construction work on the highway.

Pressure During the Festive Period

The Nakuru–Eldoret route regularly experiences congestion in December, when travel increases ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations. Traffic typically builds again in early January as schools reopen and workers return. This year, persistent rain made it difficult for drivers to manoeuvre around stalled traffic, while roadworks reduced capacity in some areas.

One traveller, posting from the Shinners Boys area, said conditions were so severe that even motorcycles were unable to move through the jam. Similar accounts were shared by other motorists and passengers delayed along the route.

Similar Disruptions Elsewhere

The disruption followed comparable congestion reported in November on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway at Sultan Hamud, where motorists were also delayed for several hours. KeNHA said it had issued advisories ahead of the holiday period and recommended alternative routes. 

Motorists travelling to Nakuru were advised to use the Naivasha–Njabini–Olkalou–Ol Joro Orok–Lanet route, while those heading to Western Kenya and Nyanza were directed to the Nairobi–Suswa–Narok corridor. The authority urged drivers to follow official updates and comply with traffic management measures.

Planned Infrastructure Works

President William Ruto has said the government plans to address congestion through the dualling of the highway from Rironi to Mau Summit. The project is intended to improve traffic flow and support the movement of goods and passengers across the region.