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Kenya police deployed to ease two-day traffic jam | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Kenyan traffic police have been deployed to try and ease a massive traffic jam which has lasted two days along the main highway between Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi. | |
The road is crucial for the region's economy as it links the port of Mombasa to landlocked countries. | The road is crucial for the region's economy as it links the port of Mombasa to landlocked countries. |
The worst-affected area is around Taru, about 80km (50 miles) from Mombasa. | The worst-affected area is around Taru, about 80km (50 miles) from Mombasa. |
Correspondents say the jam has been caused by repairs being done to the road after recent heavy rains. | Correspondents say the jam has been caused by repairs being done to the road after recent heavy rains. |
Traffic jams are common in Kenya and are often caused by its badly maintained road network. | Traffic jams are common in Kenya and are often caused by its badly maintained road network. |
Passenger buses and lorries taking goods to Nairobi and beyond were among the vehicles stranded since the jam began on Tuesday evening. | |
One motorist told Kenya's private NTV station that some had been stuck in the queue for 48 hours. | One motorist told Kenya's private NTV station that some had been stuck in the queue for 48 hours. |
"I have not eaten anything. I am told there are so many vehicles held up in the traffic jam." | "I have not eaten anything. I am told there are so many vehicles held up in the traffic jam." |
It is only the traffic heading towards Nairobi that is affected by the hold-up. | It is only the traffic heading towards Nairobi that is affected by the hold-up. |
Some trucks that tried to turn off the single carriageway onto the scrub land alongside have become stuck in the mud. | Some trucks that tried to turn off the single carriageway onto the scrub land alongside have become stuck in the mud. |
The BBC's Mohammud Ali Mohamed in Nairobi says there is a railway between Mombasa and Nairobi but it is old, unreliable and takes several days make the 500km journey. | The BBC's Mohammud Ali Mohamed in Nairobi says there is a railway between Mombasa and Nairobi but it is old, unreliable and takes several days make the 500km journey. |
Those that can afford it - and do not have heavy loads - tend to fly between the cities as there are hourly flights, he says. | Those that can afford it - and do not have heavy loads - tend to fly between the cities as there are hourly flights, he says. |
How long does it take to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa? | How long does it take to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa? |