KeNHA Sets One-Month Waiyaki Way Closure as Nairobi Commuters Face Fresh Traffic Disruption

Motorists using one of Nairobi’s busiest western corridors are facing another month of traffic disruption after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced a partial closure of Waiyaki Way.

The affected section is the Mombasa-bound carriageway between Kempinski and the Museum Hill Interchange.

The restriction will run from Thursday, October 8, to Saturday, November 7, 2026, as KeNHA carries out highway maintenance works along the road.

The closure will not shut down Waiyaki Way completely. Motorists will continue using the sections that remain open, but KeNHA has warned road users to expect changes in traffic flow and consider alternative routes where possible.

Another disruption on a busy corridor

The timing is significant for thousands of commuters who use Waiyaki Way to move between Nairobi’s western suburbs and the city centre.

The road has already undergone several rounds of construction-related disruption this year.

In July, KeNHA partially closed the Mombasa-bound section between the Global Trade Centre and Kempinski for a month to allow maintenance works.

A separate project also affected the Nakuru-bound carriageway between Karuna Close and Westlands Roundabout. That closure, which was linked to pedestrian footbridge works, ran from June 25 to September 25.

The latest closure therefore extends the period during which motorists on the wider Westlands–Waiyaki Way corridor have had to contend with changing road conditions.

What motorists should expect

In its October 1 notice, KeNHA said traffic would continue through the portions of the road that remain open.

The authority has asked motorists to follow the temporary traffic management arrangements and cooperate with police officers and traffic marshals deployed along the affected section.

Drivers have also been encouraged to consider alternative routes to reduce delays, particularly during busy travel periods.

KeNHA said normal traffic operations would resume once the maintenance works are completed.

The authority has not indicated that the entire Waiyaki Way will be closed during the works.

For motorists, the practical implication is that journeys through the Kempinski–Museum Hill section may take longer, with traffic having to adjust around the restricted carriageway.

Part of a wider Nairobi roadworks programme

The latest announcement comes as several major roads in Nairobi continue to undergo construction, maintenance and drainage works.

Mombasa Road, for example, has also faced a partial closure at Cabanas to allow construction of a box drain, with the planned works running from September 17 to October 22.

The overlapping projects have increased the need for motorists to check traffic advisories before starting their journeys and allow additional travel time.

For those using Waiyaki Way from October 8, KeNHA's message is clear: use the open sections, follow the traffic-control instructions on the ground and consider alternative routes where practical.

The authority said the normal arrangement will be restored after completion of the maintenance works.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.