Motorists in Mombasa’s Nyali area are being advised to brace for a six-month closure of a key section of Links Road beginning Friday, August 1, 2025. The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced that the closure is necessary to undertake extensive drainage improvements and road reconstruction works.
The affected section—near the heavily trafficked Quickmart area—will remain off-limits to vehicles until January 30, 2026. This move is part of an ambitious effort to address chronic drainage issues that have long contributed to seasonal flooding and dangerous driving conditions in the region.
KURA says the infrastructure overhaul aims to permanently eliminate the flooding that frequently disrupts traffic flow along the corridor. In a public notice, the authority emphasized the urgency of the project and urged drivers to use alternative routes, specifically Mt. Kenya Road, during the construction period.
Traffic officers and marshals will be stationed in the area to assist with route changes and ensure minimal disruption.
Mombasa’s Executive Committee Member for Transport, Infrastructure, and Governance, Daniel Manyala, welcomed the initiative, noting that the repairs mark a long-awaited milestone for residents. “It’s encouraging to finally see this project take off. The drainage problems have persisted for too long and caused major inconveniences during the rainy season,” he said.
Manyala added that the county had previously held talks with the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport to fast-track the initiative. The discussions led to KURA organizing public engagement forums with residents before finalizing the plan.
Alongside the road upgrades, the county will introduce a cycling lane running from the Kenol area, which will be developed in tandem with the main construction works to reduce future disruptions.
“Integrating non-motorized transport is part of our broader goal to make Mombasa roads more inclusive and efficient,” Manyala noted.
The county is also exploring the possibility of expanding similar repair work to the Bombolulu area, which faces comparable infrastructure challenges. Talks are already underway with the contractor managing the Mombasa–Malindi highway.
“We want to ensure that other critical stretches, especially Bombolulu, remain accessible throughout this project timeline,” said the CEC.
County officials have pledged to maintain close coordination with KURA to oversee the project’s progress and manage traffic impact over the next six months.
