The ongoing works, which have led to partial closure of key lanes around the Milimani area, have intensified gridlock along one of the city’s busiest corridors.
The situation is particularly dire during morning and evening peak hours, with vehicles crawling or coming to a near standstill for extended periods.
The congestion is linked to the expanded construction footprint for the Sh3 billion viaduct project, which authorities say is designed to improve long-term traffic flow between the CBD and Upper Hill once completed. The disruption, however, has left road users grappling with prolonged delays.
The closure of additional sections near Milimani Law Courts and along Valley Road has created bottlenecks where traffic from State House Road, Milimani and Valley Road converges into a single congested junction.
Public transport operators say they have been among the hardest hit, reporting reduced earnings, delayed trips and rising fuel costs as vehicles spend hours in traffic.
“We spend more than an hour here. The cars are bumper to bumper; nothing is moving. Vehicles from State House, Milimani and Valley Road all merge here, and it becomes a nightmare,” said one driver caught in the snarl-up.
Boda boda riders also say they are struggling to navigate the congestion, alleging that attempts to use alternative routes have exposed them to enforcement action.
“We, especially delivery riders and boda boda operators, are fined ten thousand shillings when we try to bypass the traffic. Where are we supposed to pass when every road is congested?” said one rider.
Public service vehicle operators have urged authorities to reconsider the traffic management plan, warning that the current situation is affecting livelihoods and worsening congestion in adjacent routes, including Ngong Road.
“They should not close all the lanes. They should leave at least one side open. This route is heavily used by PSVs, and even Ngong Road is now choked with traffic,” said one operator.
The developments come just hours after President William Ruto indicated that the viaduct project, currently about 60 percent complete, will be finished and opened before December. Construction began in September 2020 but stalled for years due to payment disputes before resuming in July 2025.
While authorities maintain that the project will ultimately ease congestion between Upper Hill and the CBD, road users say the short-term impact has been punishing.
“We are not against development, but this development is hurting us. We are losing more than we earn. The government should find a better way so that the project is completed quickly,” said a driver.
The viaduct works are expected to continue until February 2027.
