The Kenya National Highways Authority has announced a temporary traffic disruption at Globe Roundabout on the Thika Superhighway, effective from March 12 to March 19, 2026, to enable essential reinstatement works on the nearby Nairobi River Bridge.
In a public notice issued late Tuesday, KeNHA explained that the seven-day closure is necessary to complete structural repairs and reinstatement of the bridge section damaged during recent heavy rains and flash flooding along the Nairobi River corridor. The works include replacement of eroded embankment material, re-compaction of fill, installation of new drainage culverts and final surfacing to restore full load-bearing capacity and road safety.
“Globe Roundabout is a critical junction on the Thika Superhighway carrying high volumes of commuter, freight and commercial traffic,” KeNHA Regional Manager Nairobi Metropolitan Eng. Peter Maina said. “The Nairobi River Bridge immediately downstream has shown signs of scour and settlement after the prolonged rains. We cannot risk further deterioration or a complete failure. The temporary disruption, though inconvenient, is the safest and fastest way to protect motorists and restore the corridor.”
During the closure period, all vehicular traffic approaching Globe Roundabout from both the Nairobi CBD direction (incoming) and Thika Town direction (outgoing) will be diverted. KeNHA has outlined the following alternative routes:
- Vehicles heading toward Thika Town from Nairobi will be diverted at Pangani/Muthaiga Interchange onto the Northern Bypass, rejoining the Thika Superhighway at Ruiru.
- Vehicles heading toward Nairobi CBD from Thika will be diverted at Roysambu/TRM onto the Northern Bypass, rejoining the highway at Pangani.
- Heavy commercial trucks and trailers are strongly advised to use the Eastern Bypass or the Mombasa Road corridor as a longer but safer alternative.
KeNHA has deployed additional traffic marshals, clear diversion signage, reflective cones, temporary road markings and speed-reduction humps at all diversion points. Floodlights will be installed for night-time visibility, and a 24-hour rapid-response team will be on site to clear any accidents or breakdowns quickly.
The authority has appealed to motorists to plan journeys in advance, leave earlier than usual, use navigation apps that incorporate real-time traffic updates and exercise extra caution on diversion routes. “We expect significant delays, especially during peak morning and evening hours,” Eng. Maina added. “Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary. Your cooperation will help us complete the works safely and on schedule.”
The reinstatement works are part of KeNHA’s broader emergency response to flood damage along the Thika Superhighway following the heavy March rains that affected multiple sections, including Allsops, GSU HQ, Kasarani and Ruiru. The Nairobi River Bridge, a key drainage and structural crossing, was identified as high-risk after engineers detected scour holes, cracked wing walls and settlement of approach embankments.
KeNHA has assured the public that the bridge will be fully reinstated to its original design standards, with additional erosion-control measures such as gabion baskets, riprap protection and improved upstream drainage to prevent future damage. The agency is also accelerating long-term upgrades to the entire river corridor, including widening of the waterway and construction of more robust bridge foundations.
Local businesses along the affected stretch of Thika Superhighway have expressed mixed feelings. Some traders near Globe Roundabout welcomed the repairs, saying continued bridge instability could lead to longer closures later. Others worried about the immediate impact on foot and vehicle traffic to their shops. “Seven days is manageable if it means the road and bridge are safe for years,” said one shop owner. “But if the diversions cause jams that last longer, we will lose customers.”
The disruption coincides with ongoing drainage-clearing works in other parts of Nairobi, including Mombasa Road and Outering Road, as the county government and KeNHA collaborate to mitigate flood risks during the long rains season.
KeNHA has promised daily updates on progress and any changes to the diversion plan via its official social media channels, website and SMS alerts to registered motorists. The authority has also set up a dedicated traffic hotline for real-time information and incident reporting.
Motorists are reminded to obey diversion signs, reduce speed at work zones and avoid unnecessary travel through the affected area until March 19, when the roundabout and bridge are expected to reopen to normal traffic.
