Traders count losses as Kirinyaga Road repairs drag on

Motorists, traders and commuters using Nairobi's busy Kirinyaga Road are raising concerns over worsening traffic congestion and mounting business losses, blaming the slow pace of ongoing rehabilitation works and the deteriorating state of the road.

The busy corridor, which connects Nairobi's Central Business District to Eastleigh and neighboring areas, has been riddled with deep potholes, open excavations and unfinished sections, leaving motorists trapped in hours-long traffic jams.

For public service vehicle operators, the prolonged repairs have significantly disrupted transport services and slashed daily earnings.

Sam Otieno, who has operated a PSV along the route for six years, said the delays have forced drivers to make fewer trips each day.

He warned that the situation could worsen once the rainy season begins.

"If it rains today, we are likely to witness fatal accidents," he said, recalling an incident last week in which a vehicle lost control and plunged into one of the large excavations along the road. No injuries were reported.

The congestion has also taken a heavy toll on boda boda operators.

John Ashioya Ocholi said the gridlock has drastically reduced his income, with traffic often grinding to a complete standstill from midday.

"It is almost five in the evening, and I have carried only one passenger because of the traffic jam," he said.

Ocholi said motorcycles and smaller vehicles struggle to navigate the damaged sections, worsening congestion. He argued that temporarily closing the road would allow contractors to complete the works more quickly.

"Even if the government closed the road for four days, I would support it, provided the road is repaired properly," he said.

"When the rains come, we don't know how we will survive because the road will become impassable," he said.

Ocholi cited a missed business opportunity after a customer travelling from Riverside to Eastleigh sought another rider because he was delayed by traffic.

"On a normal day I earn about Ksh3,000, but today I had made only Ksh400 by evening," he said.

While acknowledging the importance of the rehabilitation project, he urged contractors not to leave deep excavations exposed for extended periods.

"The contractors are doing a good job, but they dig large holes and leave them open, causing smaller vehicles to get stuck," he said.

The impact has also been felt by businesses operating along the road.

Fruit vendor Isaac Mbugua said customer numbers drop sharply whenever traffic builds up.

"Business is very slow whenever there is heavy traffic. When the road is clear, we receive many customers," he said.

Mbogua added that some boda boda riders have resorted to using pedestrian walkways to bypass the gridlock, exposing pedestrians to danger while stirring up dust that affects roadside businesses.

Road users are now urging the government and contractors to expedite the rehabilitation works, warning that further delays will continue to disrupt transport, reduce incomes and pose serious safety risks, particularly during the rainy season.