Several private roads and footpaths are set to be closed for at least 24 hours on Christmas as per a Gazette notice published by two companies.
In the Gazette notice, Eastern Produce Kenya announced at least 16 estates in Nandi Hills would be affected by the closure of private roads and footpaths.
The closure is set to take place from midnight on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, and will extend for at least a day.
“Notice is given that all private roads and footpaths on the following estates owned/managed by Eastern Produce Kenya Limited, will be closed to the public for twenty-four (24) hours, from midnight, on Wednesday, 25th December 2024,” the gazette notice read.
An aerial view of the Nandi Tea Estates. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
Among the estates set to be affected include Chemomi Estate, Savani Estate, Sitoi Estate, Kapsumbeiwa Estate, Kibabet Estate, Kipkoimet Estate, Kepchomo Estate, Kakuzi Plc, Kaboswa Estate, Kibwari Plc, Kibwari Estate, Kipkeibon Estate, Kaprachoge Estate, Kapkagaron Estate, Kipkoror Estate, Menet Estate, Sogutin Estate, Siret Tea Company Limited, Siret Estate.
The company that issued the announcement has agricultural and horticultural operations in several countries including Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa.
In Kenya, they specialise in tea, with an extensive tea plantation in the Nandi Hills area. These large plantations have extended to residential estates, with area residents sometimes using private road networks and footpaths to get to their homes.
Following the Gazette notice, however, the residents will have to seek alternative routes to get to their homes.
While the company did not specify the reason for the closure of the roads, the date of the closure suggests it was because of the day-long Christmas holiday.
Elsewhere, in Thika, another listed Kenyan agricultural company also announced the closure of roads and footpaths from the public for 24 hours on Christmas day.
Among the estates set to be affected by the closure include Kakuzi Estates.
In Nairobi, some key roads are also set to be affected by closure during the festive period.
The latest traffic disruption was announced by Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Saturday, affecting Mombasa Road at the Southern Bypass interchange.
According to a notice by the roads authority, another layer of complexity to the already heavy constructions affecting the busy highway from Standard Group offices on Mombasa Road to Gitaru on Waiyaki Way.
Traffic snarl-up along the Southern Bypass in Nairobi as motorists view a herd of buffalo grazing nearby
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