The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced immediate closure of Kamulu-Kangundo Road at Joska Athi River bridge due to flooding.
In a public notice dispatched Wednesday evening, the Authority said heavy downpour experienced upstream had led to flooding at the section of the road and rendered the bridge unsafe for use.
"The Authority cautions road users against any attempts to use this affected section of the road in the interest of their safety," Director General Kung'u Ndung'u said.
He advised motorists who usually ply the road to use alternative routes to their destinations.
He said Joska-Kamulu bound traffic should use Joska-Koma-Kaloleni-Mua Interchange-Cabanas-Ruai-Kamulu route.
Kamulu-Joska bound traffic should utilise Kamulu-Ruai-Cabanas-Mua Interchange-Kaloleni-Koma-Joska.
"The public is asked to be patient and wait for the waters to subside for the Authority to inspect the bridge and facilitate safe passage.
Kung'u said the Authority is committed to ensuring seamless connectivity and takes public safety as a priority.
Heavy downpour on Tuesday night rendered a couple of roads impassable in Nairobi and its outskirts.
The Thika Superhighway was among the affected roads after the stretch between Kahawa Sukari and Kenyatta University became heavily flooded on the Thika town-bound lane.
The road remained impassable for the better part of the day with some vehicles stalling midway in a futile attempt to wade through the flooded section.
KeNHA advised motorists heading to Thika to use Kiambu Road and turn off to Northern Bypass to Ruiru.
The Authority said it has established a unit to assist with clearing obstructions on highways in light of the ongoing heavy rains.
This, Ndung'u said, is geared towards enhancing road safety on the national road network including towing stalled motor vehicles which have a potential of compromising the safety of road users.
"The Authority will endevour to install signs where safe parking on the highways is available," he said.
Ndung'u warned that parking that leads to obstruction on highways is prohibited by under Section 53 of the Traffic Act and hence such vehicles will be impounded and their owners prosecuted.
"The public is urged to call the toll-free line 0800-211-244 which is operational on 24-hour basis to report any incident on the road which has a potential of compromising public safety," Ndung'u advised.
