The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to traders operating along sections of the Thika Superhighway at Roysambu and Githurai, directing them to remove their goods from the road reserve to allow planned infrastructure works to proceed.
In a notice dated February 9, 2026, the authority said the affected areas include Roysambu on both sides of the highway and the Nairobi-bound lane at Githurai. Traders have been instructed to vacate the designated road reserve within one week from the date of the notice.
KeNHA explained that the clearance is necessary to facilitate the construction of designated bus bays, which are intended to improve road safety and ease traffic congestion along the heavily used corridor.
According to the authority, the new bus bays will enable safer and more organized passenger pick-up and drop-off, helping to reduce traffic disruptions caused by vehicles stopping along the main carriageway.
The project forms part of KeNHA’s wider road safety enhancement programme, which focuses on reducing accidents and removing obstructions from national highways. Officials noted that informal trading activities along road reserves pose safety risks to pedestrians, motorists, and traders themselves.
The Thika Superhighway is among Kenya’s busiest transport routes, linking Nairobi to several counties in the central and eastern regions. Congestion is especially frequent around Roysambu and Githurai, where roadside activities and unregulated stopping of vehicles often interfere with smooth traffic flow.
Separately, KeNHA has announced the temporary nightly closure of a section of Uhuru Highway (A8) in Nairobi to allow for repair and maintenance works. The affected stretch runs between the University of Nairobi Roundabout and the Westlands Roundabout.
According to a notice signed by KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli, the road will be closed nightly from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, starting Friday, February 6, 2026, and ending on Friday, February 13, 2026.
The authority said the night-time closure is necessary to protect road users and workers during maintenance on the busy highway. Normal traffic operations will resume once the works are completed.
Uhuru Highway serves as a vital link between Nairobi’s Central Business District and Westlands, carrying heavy traffic volumes daily. The temporary closure is expected to affect both private and public transport, prompting KeNHA to provide alternative diversion routes to minimise inconvenience to commuters.
KeNHA is a state corporation established under the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, and operates under the Ministry of Roads and Transport. It is responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national trunk roads classified as S, A, and B, which connect major cities, ports, border points, and key economic centres.
In addition to highway construction and maintenance, the authority oversees road planning and design, enforces protection of road reserves, and works with government agencies, contractors, and development partners to deliver infrastructure projects aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
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