Hussein Khalid raises alarm over prolonged Nairobi–Mombasa Road gridlock
By Ascah Mwango, December 28, 2025Kenyan activist Hussein Khalid has criticised the government over the prolonged traffic gridlock along the Nairobi–Mombasa Road, saying authorities have failed to take action as thousands of travellers continue to suffer.
In a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, December 28, 2025, Khalid raised concern over what he described as government silence despite persistent congestion on the key highway linking the capital to the coast.
He noted that many Kenyans have been forced to endure long hours on the road, with some spending nights stuck in traffic.
“The gridlock on the Nairobi – Mombasa road continues… The government is quiet and plans to do nothing about it… Coastal leaders wamefyata midomo, too afraid to appear anti-government… Meanwhile, Kenyans are spending sleepless nights in unending jams on the road. Nkt!” Khalid stated.
The Nairobi–Mombasa Highway is one of the busiest roads in the country, serving passenger traffic, long-distance buses and heavy commercial trucks ferrying goods from the Port of Mombasa to the rest of the country and the region. During peak travel periods such as the festive season, traffic volumes increase sharply, often leading to severe congestion.
In recent weeks, motorists have reported being stranded for more than 10 hours at sections of the highway, particularly around Tsavo, following road accidents and stalled trucks that blocked traffic in both directions. Police and emergency teams have, in several cases, taken hours to clear wreckage, worsening the situation.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has acknowledged the congestion and attributed it to increased holiday travel, accidents and overlapping by drivers. The agency has issued advisories urging motorists to plan their journeys early, observe lane discipline and use alternative routes where possible.
KeNHA has previously implemented measures aimed at easing congestion, including the automation of weighbridges along the Northern Corridor to reduce truck queues. However, road users say these interventions have not been enough to address the growing pressure on the highway.
Plans to upgrade the Nairobi–Mombasa Road have also faced setbacks. A proposed expressway project meant to expand and modernise the corridor was halted earlier this year and sent back for restructuring, delaying long-term solutions to the congestion problem.