Traffic chaos in Mombasa after KeNHA closed Makupa–Changamwe section for road works

Motorists in Mombasa have been caught up in a traffic jam following the temporary closure of the Makupa–Changamwe stretch of the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway, triggering heavy congestion across the city.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) closed down the section on August 23 to allow drainage and road construction works.

The project, which runs until September 7, is intended to ease movement between the island and the mainland once completed.

For many road users, however, the situation has brought untold frustration.

Ali Mwinyi, a matatu driver who operates on the Mombasa–Changamwe route, said the traffic jams have affected his daily income.

“On a normal day, I make several trips, but now I spend hours stuck in traffic. Passengers complain and some even walk to town instead of boarding,” he said.

Lilian Akinyi, who commutes to work in the central business district, described the gridlock as exhausting.

“I leave home at 6 am, but I still arrive late. By the time I get to work, I’m already tired.  We know the road needs improvement, but the delay is really punishing us,” she said.

Another motorist, Mohamed Salim, expressed concern about discipline on the road. “The congestion gets worse when drivers overlap or block lanes. If everyone followed instructions, things would move much faster,” he noted.

County Transport Executive Daniel Manyala explained that the works, taking place near the Seven Star/Mitchell Cotts area, were designed to deal with persistent flooding problems and streamline traffic flow in the long term.

“Traffic delays are unavoidable during this period, but we appeal to drivers to follow the diversion plan and respect lane discipline. With cooperation, the upgrades will progress faster and congestion will ease,” he said.

Beyond improving connectivity, the scheme will introduce a cycle lane along the Makupa–Changamwe corridor to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.

KeNHA has stationed police officers and marshals at strategic points to guide motorists through diversions until the road reopens.

Reminder

Temporary closure of Mombasa - Nairobi Highway (A8) between Makupa Bridge and Changamwe Interchange from Saturday August 23, 2025 to Sunday September 7, 2025 to allow for road construction and drainage works to ensure seamless road connectivity along this section. pic.twitter.com/t8V8sYx1aJ

— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) August 19, 2025

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