Nairobi Motorists Face Major Weekend Traffic Disruptions as KeNHA Closes Key Mombasa Road and Expressway Sections

Thousands of motorists travelling through Nairobi’s busiest transport corridor are expected to experience significant delays this weekend after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced a temporary closure of critical sections of Mombasa Road and the Nairobi Expressway to facilitate ongoing infrastructure works.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, June 11, KeNHA said a section of the Mombasa-bound carriageway of Mombasa Road (A8) and both carriageways of the Nairobi Expressway between Airtel Complex and General Motors (GM) will be closed for a 24-hour period.

The closure will begin at 10pm on Saturday, June 13, and remain in effect until 10pm on Sunday, June 14.

According to the authority, the temporary shutdown is necessary to allow the installation of fabricated footbridge beams for the Airtel Footbridge, a key pedestrian infrastructure project being constructed across the Nairobi Expressway corridor.

Major Diversions Announced

KeNHA has urged motorists to prepare for traffic changes and familiarize themselves with alternative routes that will be implemented throughout the closure period.

Under the traffic management plan, motorists travelling along the affected Mombasa-bound section will be diverted through the Airtel Complex interchange and connecting loop roads before rejoining Mombasa Road beyond the construction zone.

Drivers travelling from Nairobi’s Central Business District towards Mombasa Road will be redirected near the Shell area onto Likoni Road. They will then connect to Enterprise Road before rejoining the A8 Highway at the General Motors junction and proceeding towards Cabanas.

Meanwhile, motorists using the Nairobi Expressway while heading towards the city centre will encounter a closure near the Cabanas area. They will be required to exit onto Mombasa Road and continue their journey through the alternative route network under the guidance of traffic marshals and police officers stationed along the corridor.

KeNHA further noted that motorists approaching from the Mombasa-bound direction may opt to use the Ole Sereni interchange as an alternative route before reconnecting to their preferred destinations.

“The Kenya National Highways Authority wishes to notify the public that a section of the Mombasa-bound carriageway of Mombasa Road (A8), and both carriageways of the Nairobi Expressway between Airtel Complex and General Motors will be closed,” the authority said in its notice.

Critical Corridor Set for Congestion

The affected stretch serves as one of Nairobi’s most important transport arteries, linking the city centre to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Industrial Area, numerous logistics hubs and the wider Mombasa Road economic corridor.

Given the strategic importance of the route, transport analysts anticipate increased traffic congestion, particularly for airport-bound travellers, long-distance motorists and commercial transport operators moving goods through the capital.

KeNHA has appealed to road users to cooperate with traffic officers and marshals who will be deployed throughout the affected sections to ensure smooth movement and enhance safety during the construction exercise.

Nairobi Roadworks Intensify

The latest announcement comes amid a wave of major infrastructure projects that are expected to disrupt traffic across several parts of Nairobi in the coming months.

Earlier this week, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced the partial closure of Kenyatta Avenue, Valley Road and Jakaya Kikwete Road from June 12, 2026, to February 12, 2027, to facilitate bridge construction works.

KURA also confirmed a one-week partial closure of Ngong Road between Windy Ridge and Westwood Park Road from June 11 to June 18 for the installation of twin cross culverts.

Additionally, sections of Haile Selassie Avenue will remain partially closed until October as bridge construction continues.

With multiple road projects running simultaneously across the capital, motorists are being encouraged to plan journeys in advance, allow extra travel time and utilize alternative routes where possible to avoid lengthy delays.

The ongoing works form part of the government’s broader efforts to improve urban mobility, pedestrian safety and transport infrastructure within Nairobi and along key national highways, even as commuters brace for temporary inconvenience in the coming weeks.