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Kenya police deployed to ease two-day traffic jam Kenyans stuck in '50km' traffic jam on Nairobi-Mombasa road
(about 2 hours 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. Kenyan police have been deployed to ease a traffic jam reportedly stretching for 50km (30 miles) on the highway between Mombasa and 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 East Africa's economy as it links the port of Mombasa to landlocked countries, such as Uganda, South Sudan and Rwanda.
The worst-affected area is around Taru, about 80km (50 miles) from Mombasa. The worst-affected area is around Taru, about 80km 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 to the road following 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 but this is said to be the worst for several years.
Passenger buses and lorries taking goods to Nairobi and beyond were among the vehicles stranded since the jam began on Tuesday evening. More than 1,500 trucks have been stuck, Willingtone Kiberenge, acting chief executive of the Kenya Transporters Association, told Reuters news agency.
One motorist told Kenya's private NTV station that some had been stuck in the queue for 48 hours. Some motorists have been stuck in the countryside, miles from the nearest shop, since the jam began on Tuesday evening.
"I have not eaten anything. I am told there are so many vehicles held up in the traffic jam." "I have not eaten since yesterday morning, not showered and not even changed clothes," Nathaniel Chweya, a lorry driver taking 10 cars to the Ugandan capital of Kampala, told Reuters.
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 it takes several days to 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 who can afford it - and do not have heavy loads - tend to fly between the cities as there are hourly flights, he adds.
How long does it take to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa?How long does it take to travel between Nairobi and Mombasa?
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