Highway and Expressway Rules in Kenya
Highways and dual carriageways move faster, so lane discipline and safe following distance matter even more than in town. Kenya's main routes, including the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa road, the Thika Superhighway, and the tolled Nairobi Expressway, each have their own limits and markings that you must obey.
Keep to the left lane and use the right lane only to overtake. Overtake on the right, and once you are safely past, check your mirror and move back to the left. A private car may travel up to 110 km/h on a dual carriageway and 100 km/h on a single carriageway, unless a lower limit is posted, while matatus and other PSVs are governed to 80 km/h on every road.
On the Nairobi Expressway, enter and pay at the correct toll lanes, obey the posted limit, and never stop in a live lane. Use the hard shoulder only for a genuine emergency, and then put on your hazard lights and, where possible, stand well away from traffic. Plan overtakes with plenty of room, because closing speeds on a highway are far higher than they look.
Key Rules
- 1Private cars: up to 110 km/h on a dual carriageway, 100 km/h on a single carriageway
- 2PSVs (matatus, buses) are limited to 80 km/h on all roads
- 3Keep left; use the right lane only to overtake, then return left when safe
- 4On the Nairobi Expressway, obey toll lanes and the posted limit; no stopping in live lanes
- 5Use the hard shoulder only for genuine emergencies, with hazard lights on
Practice highway and expressway scenarios
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Based on the Kenya Highway Code. Always follow road signs and your instructor.