Motorists using two of Kenya’s busiest highways should brace for brief traffic halts this weekend, as the government embarks on a set of highway surveys aimed at shaping the future of travel between Nairobi and the west of the country.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Thursday said temporary interruptions will affect the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit (A8) Road and the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha (A8 South) Road from Thursday, July 11, through Sunday, July 14.

The brief stops, officials said, are part of a data-gathering exercise to help improve infrastructure and ease congestion along two of Kenya’s most important transport corridors.

What Motorists Can Expect

Drivers may be asked to pause momentarily to answer basic travel questions. KeNHA says the data will feed into long-term road upgrade planning. The survey includes vehicle counts, axle load measurements, and video-based traffic monitoring.

“These surveys are essential in guiding infrastructure improvements and traffic flow management,” the highways agency noted in a public statement. “We urge all road users to cooperate with traffic police and marshals on the ground.”

The work is part of a larger effort to overhaul the A8 corridor — a vital trade route that links Nairobi to western Kenya and forms a major artery of the Northern Corridor and Trans-African Highway system.

Part of a Bigger Plan

The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road is currently undergoing expansion through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The project, which will see the road upgraded to a dual carriageway, aims to improve safety, reduce travel time, and support regional trade.

Among those eyeing a role in the upgrade are Multiplex Partners Company Limited, which recently submitted a bid to join two Chinese firms — China Road and Bridge Corporation (in partnership with Kenya’s National Social Security Fund) and Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Ltd.

All three are seeking approval to move into the project development stage, with decisions pending from the PPP Committee.

This infrastructure push ties into the broader Vision 2030 agenda, as well as Kenya’s fourth Medium-Term Plan, which targets economic growth through better connectivity and logistics.

Temporary Pain for Long-Term Gain

While KeNHA has acknowledged the inconvenience, the agency is urging drivers to plan their journeys accordingly.

“Motorists should expect some delays and follow alternative routes if advised,” it said. “These surveys will help us build better, safer roads.”

The survey period is expected to cause minimal disruption if road users cooperate, officials say — a small price to pay for what could be a faster, safer, and more reliable highway network in the years ahead.