Nightmare for motorists after unmarked speed bumps erected along Waiyaki Way
By Francis Muli, January 28, 2026Motorists using Waiyaki Way have faulted the government after unmarked speed bumps were erected between Zambezi and Rironi.
Commuters say the lack of visible warnings and proper road markings has made the already hectic travel corridor more dangerous, particularly during peak traffic hours.
Waiyaki Way has long been a flashpoint for road safety concerns, with motorists frequently reporting potholes, erratic traffic flows and collisions along the highway. For example, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision was reported in early January, highlighting persistent safety challenges on the road.
Public frustration over road conditions and management has been amplified by the new bumps, which drivers say appear abruptly without adequate warning signs, reflective paint or traffic calming infrastructure.
Similar complaints have surfaced across Nairobi and other Kenyan highways where rumble strips and speed bumps were installed without clear guidance or uniform standards. In 2023, motorists criticised KeNHA for haphazard rumble strip placements that damaged vehicles and added to driving hazards.
Social media users have likened the unmarked traffic calming measures to “road traps,” noting that many drivers must suddenly brake or swerve when encountering them, increasing the risk of accidents rather than reducing it.
Road safety advocates explain that speed bumps are intended to slow traffic and protect vulnerable road users, but successful implementation depends on visibility, signage and consistency with national specifications. Unsigned or poorly designed bumps can catch drivers off-guard, especially at night or in wet conditions, leading to sudden manoeuvres that can result in collisions.
Some motorists have also raised broader concerns about the state of the highway, pointing to ongoing “dangerous stretches” and deteriorating road quality that have previously prompted public outcry and reactive maintenance by KeNHA.
In response, road users are calling on KeNHA, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and other relevant agencies to enforce clearer standards for road safety infrastructure, including prominent signage, reflective markings and alignment with the Kenya Roads Board and Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements.
Without these, drivers warn, well-intended safety measures can easily become hidden hazards on one of the country’s most important transport corridors.