Flow of traffic along the Southern Bypass as pictured on March 5, 2021, the road connects vehicles from Mombasa Road towards the Nakuru-Naivasha Highway. Picture by Francis Nderitu
Frequent traffic snarl-ups and a rising number of accidents along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway have become an unlikely boon for nearby towns and several other urban centres in the Mount Kenya region.
Motorists frustrated by perennial congestion on the busy corridor are increasingly diverting to the Nairobi–Nyeri–Nyahururu route, where travel times have improved.
The shift is largely attributed to the Kenol–Marua dual carriageway, now 93% complete, which has opened up a more reliable alternative for long-distance travellers. Transport officials and local businesses expect the trend to intensify during the Christmas season.
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