Mud from Eastleigh's Second Avenue extension spreads to General Wariungi Street, disrupting movement and businesses
The section has now become muddy and waterlogged whenever it rains, leaving both pedestrians and vehicles with limited space to move.
A section of General Wariungi Street in Eastleigh has become increasingly difficult to use, especially during the current rainy season, as mud from the extension of Second Avenue spreads across the road, leaving pedestrians and motorists struggling to pass.
The situation has developed into a major concern for both residents and business operators in the area, where the affected road serves as a vital link.
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The problem begins at the extension of Second Avenue, which is in poor condition and has not been repaired for years.
Vehicles driving through the damaged road carry mud and deposit it on General Wariungi Street, particularly the stretch from the roundabout at the intersection of Second Avenue and General Wariungi Street up to Yusuf Haji Avenue.
This section has now become muddy and waterlogged whenever it rains, leaving both pedestrians and vehicles with limited space to move.
Residents explain that navigating the area has become very hard. During periods of heavy rainfall, the road turns into a muddy surface that is almost impassable. Pedestrians are forced to balance on narrow sections to avoid stepping into the thick mud, while motorists slow down to make their way across. Many of those who rely on this road for their daily commute or business operations say the situation has worsened with the ongoing heavy rains in Nairobi.
Large gullies have formed on the extension of Eastleigh’s Second Avenue, while stagnant, dirty water fills the potholes. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
“This place is very hard to pass, especially at night when it rains. The road must be repaired. Otherwise, people will continue to suffer,” said Ahmed Abdullahi, who works at one of the restaurants in Shah ma'aan.
Bodaboda riders who operate around General Wariungi Street also expressed concern. According to rider Timothy Onyago, if the problem is not addressed, the section of the road will soon develop potholes, making the situation even worse.
“Very soon, this place will be full of potholes. It has been like this for years now, and it needs urgent intervention by the government,” he said.
Last month, residents of the extension of Second Avenue held a peaceful demonstration demanding that the government repair the road. They carried placards and blocked sections of the extension briefly to draw attention to their plight. Despite their efforts, they say no meaningful action has been taken so far, and the damage continues to spread onto other connected roads such as General Wariungi Street.
The continued rainfall in Nairobi has aggravated the problem. Large gullies have formed on the extension of Second Avenue, while stagnant, dirty water fills the potholes. Vehicles often get stuck in the flooded sections or are forced to manoeuvre slowly, causing traffic build-ups.
Pedestrians, meanwhile, are left with very little space to walk as most of the stretch is covered in mud and stagnant water.
Businesses along the affected roads are also bearing the brunt. General Wariungi Street and Second Avenue are home to multi-storey residential buildings, retail shops, and wholesale outlets.
They also host several restaurants, food stores, and pharmaceutical distributors. In addition, booking offices for buses travelling to Garissa, Wajir, and other towns in northern Kenya are located along the route. Many of these businesses report that customer visits have dropped sharply because of the difficulty in accessing the area.
The situation has left both residents and business owners appealing for urgent government intervention. They argue that repairing the extension of Second Avenue would not only ease movement but also stop the mud from spreading into other key roads such as General Wariungi Street.
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