Motorists caught in heavy Mombasa Road traffic for hours after accident
By Paulette Mboga, July 18, 2026Motorists have been caught in heavy traffic for hours on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in the morning after a concrete mixer lorry was involved in an accident along Mombasa Road near Mlolongo.
The crash caused major congestion on one of the country’s busiest highways, affecting both private and commercial vehicles.
The overturned lorry disrupted traffic in the Syokimau area, leading to long queues stretching in both directions. Authorities urged motorists heading towards Nairobi to use the Nairobi Expressway to avoid lengthy delays as recovery operations got underway.
Long traffic snarl
The accident brought traffic to a standstill along parts of Mombasa Road, with motorists reporting bumper-to-bumper congestion from Mlolongo towards Nairobi’s Central Business District. Some travellers said they remained stuck on the highway for more than one hour and 20 minutes.
The truck fell onto a section of the Nairobi Expressway, damaging guard rails near Astrol Petrol Station opposite Nation Printers. The vehicle blocked several lanes, making it difficult for traffic to move smoothly along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya (LODCA) also warned road users about the worsening traffic situation.
In a Facebook post, the association said, “Traffic Alert: From Machakos junction towards Mombasa, the jam is bumper to bumper.”
Recovery efforts underway
Videos shared from the scene showed road safety responders working to manage the situation as efforts to remove the overturned lorry continued. Emergency teams were also seen directing traffic around the affected area to reduce further congestion.
Despite the major disruption, no injuries were reported following the accident. Recovery teams continued working to clear the damaged truck and reopen the blocked lanes.
The incident affected thousands of motorists and transporters who rely on Mombasa Road every day. The highway is one of Kenya’s busiest transport corridors, connecting Nairobi with the Coast and serving as a key route for cargo and passenger vehicles.
Authorities continue to advise motorists to plan their journeys carefully and consider using the Nairobi Expressway where possible until normal traffic flow is fully restored. Recovery operations were still ongoing as traffic remained heavy along the affected sections of the highway.