Kenya's Busiest Highway to Close for Six Weeks as 40,000 Daily Vehicles Face Major Disruption
Nairobi, 14 February 2026
Kenya’s A8 Road between Rironi and James Gichuru Junction will shut down for 43 days starting 20 February, forcing 40,000 daily vehicles onto alternative routes. The closure affects a critical corridor serving over six million people and connecting Nairobi to western Kenya and Uganda. Surface dressing works will proceed in phases to improve road quality, but commuters should expect significant delays during peak hours throughout the six-week period ending 4 April 2026.
Construction Timeline and Traffic Management Strategy
The Kenya National Highways Authority announced the closure on Friday, 13 February 2026, giving motorists just seven days’ notice before the disruption begins [1]. The surface dressing works will commence on Friday, 20 February and continue until Saturday, 4 April 2026, spanning exactly 43 days [2][3]. KeNHA has structured the project to proceed in phases, with traffic diverted to remaining open lanes or available service roads depending on the specific location of works at any given time [1]. Acting Director General Luka Kimeli emphasised that “road safety starts with you,” urging drivers to exercise heightened caution throughout the construction period [4].
Economic Impact on Major Transport Corridor
The A8 corridor represents one of Kenya’s most economically vital transport arteries, carrying up to 40,000 vehicles daily on its busiest sections and serving over six million people [2]. This highway serves as the primary link connecting Nairobi to the Rift Valley, western Kenya, and extending to Uganda, making it crucial for regional trade and commerce [1][2]. The closure coincides with ongoing broader infrastructure developments, including the expansive Rironi-Mau Summit superhighway project, which Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir announced will be completed by June 2027 [3]. Motorists will face toll charges of Ksh8 per kilometre once the new superhighway becomes operational [3].
Traffic Diversion and Safety Measures
KeNHA has deployed traffic police officers and marshals along the affected corridor to manage the complex diversion system and ensure vehicular safety during the construction period [1][4]. The authority has established designated diversion routes at each work zone, which motorists must strictly follow to maintain smooth traffic flow [1]. Peak hour congestion is expected to intensify significantly, with commuters advised to plan for extended journey times and consider alternative travel schedules where possible [4]. The timing of the closure, beginning on a Friday, aims to allow drivers to familiarise themselves with new routes over the weekend before the Monday morning rush [GPT].
Infrastructure Improvement Goals and Regional Connectivity
The surface dressing works form part of KeNHA’s broader mandate to manage, maintain, rehabilitate, and develop Kenya’s national trunk road network [2]. These improvements focus on restoring skid resistance, sealing road surface cracks, and extending the highway’s operational lifespan [4]. The A8 corridor’s strategic importance extends beyond domestic transport, serving as a critical link for refugees and communities in northern Kenya who rely on this route for access to essential services and economic opportunities [alert! ‘connection to refugee impact inferred from context but not explicitly stated in sources’]. Government records indicate that previous improvements along the A8 have successfully supported regional trade whilst reducing travel times by addressing bottlenecks in the Westlands and Rironi areas [2].