Hundreds of travellers making their way upcountry to the Mt Kenya region in the last minute Christmas rush were Tuesday treated to a rude surprise after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) closed a section of the Thika superhighway.
This was to facilitate the erection of a footbridge at Witethie area.
Photos seen by Opera News show dozens of vehicles stuck in snaking traffic, with irate commuters questioning the decision making organs at KeNHA for choosing Christmas Eve, of all days, to undertake the exercise.
07:12 @KeNHAKenya how do you people hoist a bridge on Thika rd at Witeithie on 24th Dec of all days pic.twitter.com/QyT5DGKfOF via @mainawakara
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) December 24, 2019
This is the second day Thika Road users have languished in traffic for hours.
On Monday, a driving safety operation by police saw travellers spend the better part of the day stuck at the same spot, with drivers opting to switch off their engines and alight vehicles in frustration.
Police choppers spoils Christmas for Thika Superhighway motorists.@Ma3Route @KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/9yD81rLXt4
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) December 23, 2019
Some short-distance travellers opted to walk to their destinations.
The period leading to Christmas Day is usually the busiest in the year on Kenyan roads, as families travel to their rural homes to observe the end year festivities.
This year, some routes are reported to have doubled fares amidst a passenger influx.
Tuesday’s situation is expected to affect not only those already stuck in the traffic but also those at bus stations awaiting vehicles.
Kama unaenda Thika avoid service lane at all cost esp Hapa Witeithie..@Ma3Route@KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/XthhaBcMEN
— Steve Mato Mato ™️ (@stevematomato) December 24, 2019
Thika Superhighway feeds into major Central Kenya routes such as Nyeri, Murang’a, Embu, Meru, and part of Eastern and North Eastern areas such as Garissa.
Here are some reactions from stranded travellers on Tuesday:
Thika road already 😤😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/i891AKKs4Y
— Ruby (@Roogzz) December 24, 2019
07:24 @KeNHAKenya are you people serious ? Closing a superhighway at this time and day ? This is Thika Superhighway pic.twitter.com/zZPlx2z3lw via @Juliuswanyaga
— Ma3Route Counties (@Ma3RouteCounty) December 24, 2019
07:22 @KeNHAKenya This is not working. Chaos on Thika road at witeithie. Traffic at standstill. Congrats Kenha for perfect timing. via @swgithaiga
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) December 24, 2019
Thika rd 😭😭 Christmas itatupata hapa
— Wangui Wambugu (@elaine_wangui) December 24, 2019
07:19 If you are planning to travel to Thika you need to make new plans crazy heavy jam from Highpoint to Witethei due to hoisting of new footbridge at Witethei via @kibbz_kibor
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) December 24, 2019
Thika road at Wetethie issa mess! How? How? @KeNHAKenya you cannot be serious! On Christmas Eve???? via @Torooti #KenyanTraffic
— KenyanTraffic (@KenyanTraffic) December 24, 2019
06:51 @KeNHAKenya, how can you close Thika road at witeithie until this time. As per your warning you had indicated that road will be closed till 3:00am!!! This is very inconveniencing!@kot via @Jameswandai
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) December 24, 2019
those heading to Thika and beyond please plan your travel accordingly…civil works at Witeithie. Traffic building up already. Safe travels. pic.twitter.com/vFXgbFG3Sd via @emutoro
— Road Alerts. || 🇰🇪 (@RoadAlertsKE) December 24, 2019