Fallen electric pole disrupts traffic on Ronald Ngala Street

A fallen electric pole on Ronald Ngala Street in Nairobi, September 6, 2025. /EMMANUEL WANJALA

Traffic was thrown into disarray Saturday morning after an electric pole came down on Ronald Ngala Street in Nairobi, disrupting both public and private transport.

The pole, which supports power cables at one end of the street, leaned dangerously low, blocking matatus from accessing the Tusker bus park opposite Naivas Supermarket.

In its fall, the pole also crashed a newly-installed Nairobi City County dustbin, a street lighting unit, and an advertising billboard.

Vehicles approaching from Uyoma Street and heading to the stage had to take a diversion at the CGHU Temple, head down Ronald Ngala Street and either connect to the CBD via River Road through Taveta Road or reroute via Racecourse Road and Landhies Road back to Jogoo Road.

Among the worst affected were matatus plying the Nairobi–Umoja–Kayole route, as well as those from Kangundo Road that normally access the CBD through Jogoo Road.

Also affected were vehicles from Embakasi, Pipeline and Tassia, which use Ronald Ngala Road to connect to their termini along Tom Mboya Street.

Nairobi–Thika Road route matatus that pick passengers outside Naivas Supermarket parked a safe distance from the hanging cables and appeared to have experienced minimal disruption.

Pedestrians were spotted ducking under the sagging electric cables as they went about their errands, seemingly unaware of the grave danger.

A fallen electric pole on Ronald Ngala Street in Nairobi, September 6, 2025. /EMMANUEL WANJALA

Fallen or leaning poles with low-hanging wires pose a severe risk of electrocution and even death.

Energised cables can spark fires or trigger power outages, while water, vehicles or even the ground itself can carry the current, spreading the danger.

It's advisable to maintain a safe distance from downed or hanging power lines, avoid touching them or anything in contact with them, and report such hazards immediately to the utility company or emergency services.