Hundreds Stranded as 15-Hour Gridlock Paralyses Nairobi-Nakuru Highway at Gilgil
As of Saturday morning, February 28, 2026, the nightmare on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is slowly easing, but the scars of a cold night spent on the tarmac remain. Hundreds of motorists and passengers were forced to spend over 12 to 15 hours in their vehicles after a catastrophic traffic snarl-up that began on Friday afternoon.
The gridlock, which stretched for kilometers between Gilgil and Mbaruk, left families, long-distance truckers, and bus passengers stranded in the biting cold.
The Root Cause: The “Friday Rush” and Indiscipline
According to Gilgil Base Commander Hussein, the crisis began around 2:00 PM on Friday. While a high volume of weekend travelers initially slowed down the flow, the situation turned into a total standstill due to:
Lane Indiscipline: Impatient drivers attempting to “create” third and fourth lanes (overlapping).
Truck Breakdown: Reports indicate a heavy trailer developed a mechanical fault near the weighbridge, effectively bottlenecking the two-lane road.
Weighbridge Congestion: The usual slow-down at the Gilgil weighbridge exacerbated the tailback.
Business at a Standstill
The impact was felt far beyond the highway. Major transport companies, including Ena Coach, issued urgent notices on Saturday morning warning customers of significant delays in both passenger travel and parcel deliveries.
“This situation is affecting departures from Nairobi to Upcountry and vice versa. We regret the inconvenience and ask for patience as authorities restore flow,” the company stated.
Alternative Routes (KeNHA Advisory)
If you are planning to travel between Nairobi and Nakuru today, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and local police recommend bypassing the Gilgil stretch using the following routes:
For travelers from Nairobi: Rironi – Flyover (Magumu) – Njambini – Ol Kalou – Dundori – Lanet.
For travelers from Gilgil/Nakuru: Gilgil – Ol Kalou – Dundori – Lanet.
The Call for the “Dual Carriageway”
This latest incident has reignited the fierce debate over the Rironi–Mau Summit Expressway. Public outcry on social media is at an all-time high, with Kenyans calling on the Ministry of Roads to fast-track the dualling of the highway to end the “perennial Gilgil trap.”
As of 9:00 AM Saturday, police are on-site attempting to “unlock” the overlapping vehicles. Travelers are urged to exercise extreme patience and avoid further overlapping, which only worsens the recovery effort.
