KeNHA Announces Partial Closure of Makupa–Changamwe Stretch on Mombasa Highway

Mombasa, Kenya – Motorists using the busy Mombasa–Nairobi highway should brace for delays after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced a two-week partial closure of the Makupa Bridge–Changamwe Interchange section.

In a public notice, KeNHA said that from August 23 to September 7, both directions of traffic will be diverted to share a single carriageway to allow for road construction and drainage upgrades along the 6-kilometre stretch. The route is a critical artery for passengers and cargo moving to and from the Port of Mombasa, one of East Africa’s busiest gateways.

Traffic Management Measures

KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli assured road users that traffic marshals and police officers will be deployed to manage flow and minimize congestion. He appealed for patience and strict adherence to directions during the works.

The repairs form part of a larger infrastructure upgrade launched in November 2024 to improve drainage systems along the highway, a project designed to mitigate flooding and waterlogging that have repeatedly damaged the corridor during heavy rains.

Wider Impact and Concerns

While businesses welcomed the long-term benefits of the upgrades, they voiced concern about short-term disruptions, particularly for goods destined for Nairobi and the interior. Logistics firms noted that delays at the Makupa–Changamwe section could ripple through the supply chain, affecting delivery schedules.

KeNHA defended the closure, saying the works are necessary to enhance safety and protect the highway from more severe damage that could result in even greater disruptions if left unattended.

Not the First Closure

The partial closure follows similar interventions earlier this year at the General Motors Roundabout and Syokimausections, where KeNHA carried out drainage and road expansion works under the same modernisation programme.

The Bigger Picture

The Mombasa–Nairobi highway is not only Kenya’s busiest road but also a lifeline for the wider region, serving as a key link in the Northern Corridor that connects landlocked countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan to the Port of Mombasa.

Analysts note that while short-term inconveniences are inevitable, strengthening the highway’s resilience to flooding and wear is vital for sustaining Kenya’s role as a regional logistics hub.