KeNHA Commits KSh 20 Million to Permanently Remove “Killer” Roundabout in Kisumu

Kisumu, Kenya — September 27, 2025 (EAT).

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has allocated KSh 20 million to dismantle a high-accident roundabout in Kisumu, describing it as a source of repeated fatal crashes and urban traffic hazards.

The Latest

• The decision comes after persistent pressure from road safety advocates and public outcry over multiple road deaths at the roundabout, located at a junction joining major arteries into Kisumu city.

• KeNHA officials confirmed the funding will cover design, demolition, and reconstruction works to reconfigure traffic flow through a safer intersection model.

• The action is part of a broader safety drive by KeNHA to eliminate dangerous road features across the national highway network.

Background & Rationale

• The roundabout has been blamed for numerous crashes involving both pedestrians and motorists, often at peak hours.

• Locals and advocacy groups have called the junction “killer,” citing poor signage, inadequate lighting, and complex merging lanes as contributing factors.

• KeNHA’s decision follows similar interventions in Nairobi and Mombasa, where dangerous roundabouts have been converted into signalised intersections or grade-separated junctions.

What’s Planned

• Design Review: KeNHA will commission a traffic and civil-engineering study to propose the safest intersection layout—likely a traffic signal or flyover system.

• Demolition & Reconstruction: The existing roundabout will be removed, with roadworks set to last several months.

• Safety Enhancements: Upgrades to signage, road markings, lighting, pedestrian crossings, and drainage will accompany the reconfiguration.

• Community Consultation: KeNHA has said it will engage Kisumu County officials, residents, and businesses to minimize disruption during works.

Implications

• Safety: A safer intersection is expected to reduce annual crash incidents, save lives, and improve traffic flow.

• Cost-Benefit: Although KSh 20 million is a substantial outlay, many argue that the human and economic costs of ongoing crashes far exceed that.

• Precedent: This move reinforces KeNHA’s broader commitment to prioritising safer roads under its strategic programme.