The poor state of infrastructure in Nairobi continues to disrupt daily life, especially during the rainy season. Heavy rains quickly damage tarmac roads, creating potholes and muddy sections that slow traffic and increase accidents. Public transport is heavily affected, with buses and matatus often getting stuck in flooded leaving commuters stranded for hours. Ongoing construction projects frequently stop due to poor drainage and waterlogged ground, further worsening congestion. At the same time, vendors occupy walkways, pushing pedestrians onto busy roads and increasing safety risks. As crowds gather at stages waiting for matatus, the combination of congestion, poor drainage, and unplanned roadside activities highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure maintenance.
A matatu struggles to navigate a junction on Kirima road Kahawa on February 29th due to a large pothole which has ruined the tarmac.
Photo Credits: Karen Ndanu
Matatu gets stuck in a muddy murram road at Kahawa on February 29th due to the ongoing heavy rains, this causes frustration to the road uses since it stalls them in one place trying to reach their destination
Photo Credits: Karen Ndanu
Construction halted at Kahawa on February 28th due to the heavy downpour that has caused ruin to the roads making it hard for construction to go on.
Photo Credits: Karen Ndanu
Road blocked on Gataka Road in Rongai on February 29th as the murram roads get muddy and hard to Navigate due to the heavy downpour
Photo Credits: Karen Ndanu
Sidewalk vendors crowd the busy road edges of Moi Avenue on February 29th at 1pm with their stalls spilling onto the pavement and forcing pedestrians onto the road. This causes a danger to the pedestrians since they overcrowd and some are forced to walk on the busy roads where cars are speeding.
Photo credits: Karen Ndanu
Commuters crowd the roadside of Afya Center Street on February 29th waiting for matatus as traffic slows during rush hours .The heavy congestion reflects Nairobi’s growing demand for public transport and the strain on city streets and infrastructure. Photo Credits Karen Ndanu.
Cars struggle to Navigate Thika Road on February 28th as the ongoing heavy rains ruin the tarmac on the main road
Photo credits: Karen Ndanu
Heavy traffic at the Nyayo Stadium roundabout on February 28th at 6pm as vehicles crawl through congestion, highlighting the growing transport pressure and infrastructure strain along Lang’ata Road during peak hours
Photo Credits: Karen Ndanu