Shock; Road Blocked After Billboard Collapse, Passengers Escape Unharmed
Passengers aboard a public service vehicle (PSV) had a narrow escape on Friday, November 8, when a large billboard unexpectedly crashed down onto Thika Road, blocking traffic in both directions. The terrifying incident unfolded near the entrance to Thika Town, causing immediate congestion on one of Kenya’s busiest highways.
The billboard, whose roots had become dislodged, toppled over onto the road, landing flat in the middle of the lanes. Photos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke show the towering structure obstructing two main routes, leaving drivers and passengers stranded as the blockage halted the flow of vehicles heading toward central Kenya.
At the time of impact, a matatu navigating the Thika Road narrowly avoided being crushed by the falling structure, stopping just inches away from a potentially fatal crash.
Shortly after the incident, a heavy traffic jam began to build up, with vehicles stuck as drivers sought alternative routes. Motorists intending to access Thika Town were unable to proceed, while traffic from other nearby counties was similarly affected. “We were just lucky to have stopped in time,” one of the shaken passengers remarked.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collapse, but preliminary assessments suggest that recent rains might have loosened the billboard’s foundation, weakening the ground where it stood. The accident recalls a similar incident earlier in the week when a large tree, possibly weakened by the rains, crashed onto Limuru Road near Karura Forest, heavily damaging a vehicle. Police had to block off the road temporarily to protect other motorists.
Interestingly, this was the second significant accident along Thika Road within hours. Just a few kilometers away, another matatu lost control and overturned in a separate incident near the GSU headquarters, damaging a blue car in the process. The overturned PSV left several passengers trapped, prompting bystanders to pull them out through the windows as emergency responders worked to clear the scene.
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Shock; Road Blocked After Billboard Collapse, Passengers Escape Unharmed
