Long-distance lorries will soon be banned from using the main highway passing through Eldoret city as part of efforts to ease the severe traffic congestion, especially during rainy seasons. The Uasin Gishu County government has set up a multi-sectoral committee, led by County Commissioner Edison Nyale, to implement these new traffic management measures. Under the plan, lorries without business in the city center will be rerouted to the Southern Bypass, a 40-kilometer road completed over a year ago that connects the Uganda highway at Cheplaskei and Leseru via Kapseret.
Eldoret, recently elevated to city status, is yet to establish a city board, but municipal chairman Julius Kitur confirmed the lorry ban will be enforced in the coming weeks. Collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority is underway to ensure smooth use of the bypass. Additionally, new traffic lights are being installed and will soon be commissioned by Governor Jonathan Bii to better manage vehicle flow. The county is also discussing with Kenya Power the shift from overhead to underground power cables to further reduce congestion. To complement these efforts, parking of lorries in undesignated spots has been banned.
Governor Bii emphasized that these initiatives, along with over Sh2 billion invested in new road construction supported by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and the World Bank, will transform Eldoret into a more accessible and business-friendly city. The infrastructure improvements are expected to boost trade and economic activities, benefiting farmers and residents across the region.
