Nairobi Expressway: Westlands Exit Diversion Implemented

• A temporary traffic diversion is in effect at the Nairobi Expressway due to maintenance work on the elevated overpass, with the Westlands exit remaining fully open.
• The diversion, managed by Moja Expressway Company, began at 8 PM on September 8 and is scheduled to conclude at 5 PM on September 20, 2026, lasting 12 days.
• The Nairobi Westlands Exit remains fully open and operational, as maintenance activities are occurring past the exit, meaning motorists exiting at the toll station are not affected by the diversion.
• The works have led to heavy congestion on Waiyaki Way, though toll collection operations remain unaffected.
• This diversion follows the recent opening of the new Haile Selassie Exit, designed to improve access to Nairobi CBD and ease congestion.

The diversion is slated to continue until 5 PM on September 20, 2026, encompassing a 12-day period of activity.

Motorists utilizing the Nairobi Expressway are currently navigating a temporary traffic diversion at the Westlands exit. This operational change is necessitated by ongoing maintenance and construction activities on the elevated overpass structure. The Moja Expressway Company, responsible for the expressway's management, initiated these works at 8 PM on Tuesday, September 8.

The diversion is slated to continue until 5 PM on September 20, 2026, encompassing a 12-day period of activity. The maintenance activities are taking place on the elevated deck situated past the Nairobi Westlands Exit. As a result, the Nairobi Westlands Exit remains fully open and operational, and motorists exiting at the toll station are not affected by the diversion. Strict adherence to this instruction is required, and motorists are urged to exercise caution and follow the guidance provided by traffic marshals deployed in the affected vicinity.

The implementation of this temporary arrangement has already begun to influence traffic patterns on Waiyaki Way, with reports indicating significant congestion in the area surrounding the ABC Place–Red Hill Road junction as vehicles adapt to the altered flow. The Moja Expressway Company has issued an apology for any inconvenience experienced by motorists as a result of these essential works.

To mitigate potential delays, drivers are advised to meticulously plan their journeys and allocate additional travel time, particularly during peak hours. It has been clarified that the maintenance activities will not disrupt the expressway's toll collection operations. Users will continue to process payments through the established toll payment systems, which include electronic toll collection (ETC) via on-board units, as well as manual options such as cards, cash, and mobile money.

The Nairobi Expressway serves as a critical artery, extending from Mlolongo through the capital to Westlands, offering an alternative route that significantly reduces travel time along the Mombasa Road–Uhuru Highway–Waiyaki Way corridor. This current diversion at Westlands follows closely on the heels of the recent inauguration of the new Haile Selassie Exit, a development also overseen by Moja Expressway.

The new Haile Selassie Exit was introduced with the strategic aim of enhancing access to key areas including the Nairobi CBD, Ngong Road, and Upper Hill, while simultaneously alleviating traffic congestion around the Capital Centre–Haile Selassie corridor. This exit features five lanes and provides two distinct onward routes leading towards Haile Selassie Avenue and the Kenyatta Avenue roundabout. Consequently, motorists are encouraged to consider utilizing alternative exits where convenient and to strictly observe all temporary road signs and instructions from traffic marshals until the Westlands works are finalized on September 20.

Source: Original reporting via Capital News