Navigating Nairobi can become challenging when major roads are closed or restricted due to construction, maintenance, traffic disruptions or other works.

With key routes such as Mombasa Road, Kenyatta Avenue and Ngong Road occasionally affected, motorists need to know which alternative roads and bypasses can help them reach their destinations while avoiding the affected corridors.

Here is a guide to the alternative routes identified by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), based on your starting point and destination.

Guide to Navigating Nairobi During Major Road Closures

  • If You Are Heading to JKIA

For motorists coming from Eastlands, including Donholm, Pipeline, and Embakasi, KeNHA advises using Airport North Road from Outering Road, when the Eastern Bypass ramps are affected.

Motorists travelling from Westlands, Kikuyu, Karen, Lang’ata, Kiambu and Thika Road can use the Southern Bypass to the Ole Sereni interchange to access JKIA without passing through the affected section of Mombasa Road.

  • If You Need to Cross the CBD

When Kenyatta Avenue, Valley Road or Jakaya Kikwete Road are affected, University Way provides the main east–west alternative along the northern edge of the CBD.

Other options include City Hall Way via Harambee Avenue, while Nyerere Road and Arboretum Drive can serve motorists travelling between Westlands, State House, Upper Hill and Uhuru Highway.

  • Travelling From Lang’ata or Ngong Road

Motorists affected by the Ngong Road closure between Windy Ridge and Westwood Park Road can use Mbagathi Way and Lang’ata Road connectors to reach Mombasa Road.

  • While Coming From Thika Road or Ruiru

Motorists travelling towards the southern side of Nairobi can use the Eastern Bypass to avoid the CBD, while those heading towards the western side can consider Limuru Road or Kiambu Road before connecting to the relevant arterial routes.

The Eastern Bypass is also part of KURA’s wider Nairobi road network improvement programme.

  • While Using the Eldoret Road Corridor

Motorists affected by the extended closure can use Wangu Road, Heshima Avenue, Mohammed Yusuf Road, Sinoni Road and 19th Street as alternative local routes before connecting to Jogoo Road and other major corridors.

  • If You Are Using Mombasa Road

Where sections of Mombasa Road are restricted, motorists should use the nearest available junctions for destinations such as the CBD, Upper Hill and South B, while longer-distance trips should shift to the Southern Bypass or Eastern Bypass, depending on the direction of travel.

For heavy commercial vehicles affected by Mlolongo–Kamulu Road restrictions, the designated alternative includes Tuffoam Road, while light and medium vehicles can use Syokimau–Katani Road or Syokimau–Parliament Road.

How to Choose the Right Bypass

For motorists travelling between western and southern Nairobi and JKIA or Mombasa Road, the Southern Bypass provides a route that avoids the CBD.

Traffic moving between Thika Road, Eastlands, Industrial Area and JKIA can use the Eastern Bypass to bypass central Nairobi.

Those travelling between Thika Road, Limuru Road and Waiyaki Way can use the Northern Bypass to avoid entering the CBD.

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Nairobi Road Closures: Roads to Use When Major Routes Are Blocked
A photo of a traffic jam along Thika Road. PHOTO/ NMG