KURA to Close Nyali Links Road for Six Months to Address Persistent Flooding in Mombasa
The closure is essential to allow for the elevation of the entire road section and the installation of improved drainage infrastructure.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has announced the temporary closure of Links Road in Nyali, Mombasa, for six months to carry out critical construction works aimed at mitigating the frequent flooding and drainage problems that have long affected the area. Photo/TV 47.
By Juliet Jerotich
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has announced the temporary closure of Links Road in Nyali, Mombasa, for six months to carry out critical construction works aimed at mitigating the frequent flooding and drainage problems that have long affected the area.
In an official notice released on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, KURA stated that the road will be closed from 6:00 AM on August 1, 2025, through to January 30, 2026.
The closure is essential to allow for the elevation of the entire road section and the installation of improved drainage infrastructure.
These measures are intended to provide a permanent solution to the regular waterlogging and flooding that occur during the rainy seasons, which have disrupted traffic flow and posed safety risks to road users.
“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority wishes to inform the public that Links Road in Nyali, Mombasa County, will be closed from 6:00 AM on Friday, August 1, 2025, until 6:00 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026, for six months to facilitate essential works,” the announcement read in part.
The Authority has urged motorists to exercise caution when approaching the closed section and to strictly adhere to all traffic signs put in place. To ensure orderly movement of vehicles, police officers and traffic marshals will be deployed at key points along the route.
KURA has also apologized for any inconvenience caused during this period and provided motorists with alternative routes illustrated in a schematic map accompanying the notice.
“We encourage motorists to avoid the affected stretch and utilize the alternative paths as shown in the provided sketch. We apologize for any inconvenience caused as we continue to enhance urban mobility infrastructure,” the statement added.
This intervention aligns with findings from a flood risk assessment report by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), published in November 2024, which identified Mombasa County as highly vulnerable to flooding hazards.
The report highlights the widespread nature of flood risks within the county, pointing to increasing challenges brought on by climate change and urbanization.
Furthermore, a rapid assessment carried out by Coastal and Marine Resources Development (COMRED) pinpointed several pressing adaptation challenges facing Mombasa, including poor solid waste management, scarcity of potable water, inadequate river management, and urban flooding.
During stakeholder consultations, urban flooding emerged as the most critical issue, mainly due to its complexity and the difficulty in identifying clear-cut solutions.
Experts emphasize that addressing urban flooding in Mombasa will require a multi-sectoral, innovative approach that involves extensive community participation and coordination between various government and non-government agencies.
The upcoming works on Links Road are part of broader efforts to tackle these persistent environmental challenges and improve the quality of life for residents by ensuring safer and more reliable road infrastructure.
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