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Jogoo Road is more than just a highway—it’s a lifeline for thousands of commuters traveling daily from Nairobi’s Eastlands into the Central Business District (CBD). The sudden closure of a key section has thrown matatu operators into chaos. Without prior warning or adequate signage, matatus have been rerouted through unfamiliar or overloaded roads, leading to widespread confusion.
Passengers who depend on specific drop-off points now find themselves stranded farther away, forced to either walk long distances or pay for additional transport. Travel times that once took 30 minutes are now stretching beyond two hours. The knock-on effect is a drop in productivity, late arrivals at work, and increased fare prices as operators adjust for the extra mileage and fuel costs.
With part of Jogoo Road shut down, traffic has been redirected to other arteries like Outer Ring Road, Rabai Road, Landhies Road, and sections of Industrial Area. Unfortunately, these routes were already strained even before the diversion. Now, they’re overwhelmed.
Drivers are reporting bumper-to-bumper traffic from as early as 5:30 AM. School buses, private vehicles, and PSVs are all fighting for limited space, turning a normal drive into a grueling ordeal. Accidents have become more frequent due to impatience and poor road coordination, while tempers among drivers and passengers continue to flare.
For traders and vendors who operate along the closed stretch of Jogoo Road, business is tanking. Many rely on walk-in customers—especially those commuting or using nearby stops—and that traffic has all but vanished. Small kiosks, fast food joints, mobile money shops, and hawkers are seeing their daily income shrink dramatically.
Even larger businesses like supermarkets and fuel stations in the area are affected. With fewer cars on the road and more people avoiding the stretch, these establishments are operating at a loss. Some traders say they might be forced to shut temporarily if the situation doesn’t improve.
The ripple effect of the road closure extends into homes and schools. Parents now have to wake up their children earlier, and school buses are leaving an hour ahead of schedule just to beat the jam. For those relying on matatus, the chaos means a scramble for seats, higher fares, and long waits.
Employees in both the public and private sectors are increasingly showing up late. Meetings are being delayed or rescheduled. Many companies are adjusting reporting hours to accommodate the crisis, while others are considering remote work as a temporary fix.
Businesses depending on timely deliveries through Jogoo Road are now facing significant disruptions. This includes everything from wholesalers delivering food items to construction companies sourcing materials from warehouses along the Eastern corridor. With key routes jammed or inaccessible, delays in delivery are common—and costly.
In some cases, perishable goods are arriving late or spoiling in transit, while fuel consumption has shot up for delivery vehicles stuck in long traffic queues. Some logistics firms have opted for overnight deliveries, but security concerns and curfew restrictions make that far from a perfect solution.
One of the loudest complaints from the public is the lack of proper communication before the road was closed. Without official announcements, signposts, or rerouting guidelines, drivers and commuters were left to guess their way through the chaos. Even traffic police deployed on affected roads have appeared ill-prepared, worsening the confusion rather than resolving it.
City planners and transport authorities are being accused of mishandling the rollout of this critical infrastructure project. A better approach, many say, would have been a phased closure, clearly marked diversions, or at least ample public notice to prepare.
While the roadworks are expected to improve drainage and ease congestion in the long run, the short-term impact is steep. Nairobians are angry, tired, and economically strained.
Without swift adjustments, such as expanded alternate routes, better communication, and efficient traffic management, the closure could cripple a vital part of the city for weeks—or months.
Until then, the public is left to bear the brunt of a poorly managed but necessary disruption.
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