KeNHA apologises for traffic caused by structure blocking Waiyaki Way
What you need to know:
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has apologised to motorists and commuters after a billboard structure it was uprooting fell and blocked a key thoroughfare in Nairobi, leading to a massive gridlock that lasted several hours.
The exercise that had begun by midnight on Monday caught motorists unaware as the billboard structure was blocking the entire highway on both sides of the road.
By 1 p.m. on Tuesday traffic towards the city centre flowing but traffic from the city was still blocked.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has apologised to motorists and commuters after a billboard structure it was uprooting fell and blocked a key thoroughfare in Nairobi, leading to a massive gridlock that lasted several hours.
The exercise that had begun by midnight on Monday caught motorists unaware as the billboard structure was blocking the entire highway on both sides of the road.
Waiyaki Way is part of a major highway that connects Kisumu to Nairobi and serves residents of Kikuyu, Kinoo, Uthiru and Kangemi driving into areas such as Westlands and the City Centre.
When there is no traffic on the highway a typical journey will take between 15 to 20 minutes from Kinoo and Uthiru to the City Centre and on a day when there is normal traffic it can take up to an hour.
However, motorists and commuters who were caught unaware spent more than two and a half hours during the rush hour traffic using side roads and kerbs.
Some opted to use alternative routes such connecting to Ngong road through Uthiru and Kawangware.
KeNHA, on Tuesday said that it had had envisaged that the removal of the illegal structure would be completed before dawn and had alerted the traffic police department to help control traffic.
However, it said, the operation stretched beyond the anticipated timeframe because of the heavy metal gauge of the structure. By 1 p.m. traffic towards the city centre flowing but traffic from the city was still blocked.
“KeNHA would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all motorists and road users, who have been affected by the process of removing an illegal billboard structure constructed on its road reserve along Waiyaki Way…KeNHA was acting in good faith in trying to protect public property, a function which is within its mandate,” said the agency in a statement.
Motorists who use the highway however wondered why the agency did not make adequate plans before embarking on the exercise that resulted in the blockage of the highway.
They complained of delayed and cancelled appointments, lost time and wondered why KeNHA allowed the billboard structure to be put up.
