Traffic Fully Restored on Nairobi Southern Bypass After Major Tanker Fire Incident

Normal traffic flow has resumed along the Nairobi Southern Bypass after a major disruption caused by a collision and subsequent fuel tanker fire on Saturday, 24 January 2026, authorities confirmed.

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The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced the reopening of the key transport corridor following successful emergency response efforts that included fire suppression, site containment, safety assessments, and debris clearance.

The Southern Bypass, a crucial link connecting western and southern parts of Nairobi to Mombasa Road was temporarily closed to traffic after a fuel tanker and a lorry collided near the Swaminarayan Tunnel Bridge area, resulting in a massive explosion and fire that sent thick smoke into the skies and caused widespread disturbance during peak travel hours.

The incident was triggered when a fuel tanker collided head on with a lorry carrying sacks of flour along the busy bypass.

Moments after impact, the tanker overturned and erupted into flames, prompting emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers, and Kenya Red Cross personnel, to rush to the scene to contain the blaze and manage the hazardous situation.

An eyewitness described scenes of panic as motorists and bystanders fled the area when the tanker burst into flames and exploded repeatedly. Thick plumes of black smoke spread across the road, causing confusion and necessitating a swift response.

The Lang’ata Sub-County Police Commander, Pius Mwanthi, confirmed that only one person, the driver of the flour lorry had been confirmed dead at the scene.

Another driver was taken to hospital with injuries, and emergency services worked to secure the area and prevent further secondary explosions due to spilled fuel.

In a Traffic Restoration Notice dated 24 January 2026, KeNHA confirmed that traffic has been fully restored on the Southern Bypass (Mombasa Road-bound section) after emergency operations were completed.

The roads agency thanked motorists for their patience and cooperation during the disruption, which temporarily halted movement on one of Nairobi’s key transport corridors.

KeNHA has urged motorists to exercise caution as traffic flow stabilises following the reopening.

Road users were advised to adhere to posted traffic signs and follow directions from traffic police on site, particularly as vehicles return to regular volumes and emergency markings are still present.

The temporary closure of the Southern Bypass had significant implications for motorists, especially during peak travel hours, as the route serves as a major arterial connecting to Mombasa Road, one of Nairobi’s busiest corridors.

The decision to close the bypass was made to ensure public safety while emergency crews extinguished the fire and secured the site.

Traffic was diverted through alternate routes during the closure, causing notable congestion across surrounding roads as drivers sought to reach their destinations.

With the reopening, commuter patterns are expected to stabilise, but authorities warn that residual congestion could persist as motorists adjust.

Ongoing Safety and Emergency Preparedness Measures

Authorities emphasised that fuel-related accidents are particularly dangerous, with the potential for secondary explosions and prolonged fires that can threaten nearby structures and road users.

Emergency services reiterated the necessity of keeping the scene clear of onlookers and ensuring that hazardous materials incidents are handled by trained personnel.

KeNHA also stated its commitment to collaborating with traffic police, firefighters, and other agencies to improve rapid response to similar incidents and enhance safety protocols for transporting hazardous materials along national highways.