The Nairobi Expressway toll is waived until 11 PM for flood-hit drivers as heavy rains continue to batter the city and surrounding areas. The government stepped in with this temporary relief on March 6, 2026, giving motorists using the elevated road along Mombasa Road a free pass during evening hours to ease the chaos caused by waterlogged streets and snarled traffic below.
Heavy downpours have turned parts of Nairobi into a mess over the past few days. The Kenya Meteorological Department keeps warning that rains exceeding 20 millimetres in 24 hours will stick around through March 9, hitting places like the Central Highlands, Nairobi, and low-lying spots hard.
Flash floods pop up in poorly drained zones, and Mombasa Road stands out as one of the worst affected stretches. Vehicles crawl through deep puddles near the Kyumbi junction and other points, while the lower deck of the motorway and nearby public roads take on water fast. Commuters heading home from work face hours stuck in jams that normally take minutes on the toll road.
The decision to drop fees until late evening aims straight at helping those who rely on the quicker route. Normally, drivers pay based on distance, with short hops costing around 120 shillings and longer ones climbing higher.
Tonight and likely the next few evenings, that cost vanishes for anyone entering before 11 PM. Officials say it gives people a safer, faster option when ordinary roads turn into rivers.
The move comes as the National Transport and Safety Authority urges everyone to slow down, keep their distance, and avoid flooded sections entirely. They warn that night driving gets riskier with poor visibility and hidden deep water.
Motorists welcome the break. One driver I spoke with near the Green Park underpass said the waiver saves him time and money on a night when his usual route home floods knee-deep. He usually sticks to the motorway to beat the rush, but the toll adds up quickly during tough weather.
Now he can use it without extra worry. Others heading to the airport or southern suburbs feel the same relief, especially with JKIA access tied to this corridor.
The rains expose old problems too. Some point fingers at how the motorway was built, saying it messed with natural drainage channels that handled water better in past wet seasons. Flooding hits the ground level harder, while the elevated section stays mostly dry.
That contrast frustrates many who see the toll road as a luxury escape for those who can pay, leaving everyone else to deal with the mess. County teams work to clear drains where they can, but the volume of water overwhelms systems built for lighter showers.
Safety stays top priority right now. Authorities repeat the message to avoid crossing flooded rivers or drifts and never drive through moving water even if it looks shallow. The Red Cross keeps its toll-free line open for emergencies, and rescue efforts ramp up in low areas.
Four lives lost nationwide in the last couple of days remind everyone how fast flash floods turn deadly. A veteran volunteer in Nairobi was among them, highlighting the risks responders face.
The weather pattern looks set to peak through March 7 before easing a bit. Nairobians brace for more evening showers that could keep the weather in play. For now, the free access offers a small mercy amid the downpour.
With climate patterns shifting and heavier rains becoming normal, infrastructure needs to keep up. Until then, the toll waiver gives breathing room on Mombasa Road’s busiest link. Stay cautious out there; check updates from Met Kenya, and if you’re on the motorway tonight, enjoy the free ride while it lasts.
