This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
On November 13, 2019, Nairobi residents were left frustrated after the Westlands roundabout, which was closed to improve traffic flow, was reopened, causing gridlock in the area.
The roundabout was initially closed in 2015 by then Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero as part of a plan to improve traffic flow by 30 to 40 per cent.
However, the roundabout was reopened on Tuesday, prompting protests from Nairobi residents who were affected by the traffic gridlock.
Outbound and inbound traffic had been flowing better under the regulations that abolished right turns from Rhapta and Ring roads in the past four years.
Motorists were left frustrated as they navigated through the congested roads, with some being forced to make U-turns at Consolata Shrine and Brookside Groove.
There were also reports of motorists being unable to access Riverside Drive while driving on Chiromo Road, with some being forced to take a detour through the former Westlands roundabout.
By Wednesday, the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) had closed the roundabout again, restoring order to the traffic flow in the area.
