If you’ve recently driven through Eldoret CBD, you may have noticed something different — the traffic lights in Eldoret are finally operational! After months (if not years) of waiting, the newly activated lights are bringing long-overdue order to the town’s often chaotic intersections.
This major step in Eldoret’s urban development promises to decongest roads, improve safety, and smoothen the movement of vehicles and pedestrians alike.
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Why Eldoret Needed Working Traffic Lights
For years, Eldoret’s traffic has been a source of frustration for residents, especially during peak hours. The town’s rapid growth, boosted by businesses, universities, and expanding residential zones, had outpaced its road infrastructure.
According to a 2023 report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA):
Eldoret recorded over 850 road accidents in Uasin Gishu County in 2022 alone.
A significant percentage of these occurred at unmanaged or poorly coordinated junctions.
With more than 400,000 residents and counting, Eldoret had clearly outgrown manual traffic control methods. The launch of these traffic signals couldn’t have come at a better time.
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Benefits of the New Traffic Lights in Eldoret
Here’s how the traffic lights are already making a difference:
1. Decongestion of Key Intersections
Hotspots like Oloo Street, Uganda Road, and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital junction now flow more smoothly.
Traffic jams, especially during rush hours, have significantly reduced.
2. Improved Road Safety
Clear signaling reduces confusion for drivers and pedestrians.
Pedestrian crossings are safer, especially near busy areas like Zion Mall, Rupa’s Mall, and Eldoret Polytechnic.
3. Time Efficiency
No more long waits due to manual direction or overlapping traffic.
Public transport and emergency services move faster and more predictably.
4. Reduction in Accidents
With traffic movement better coordinated, risky maneuvers at intersections are minimized.
Early statistics from NTSA in 2024 suggest a 15% drop in minor collisions in areas with functioning lights.
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Local Reactions and What’s Next
The reaction from residents has been largely positive. Matatu drivers, pedestrians, and boda boda operators say they’re experiencing smoother commutes.
> “This is what Eldoret needed. It shows we’re finally growing into a real city,” says Mary Chebet, a daily commuter from Langas to the CBD.
However, for these benefits to be long-lasting:
Public awareness campaigns on obeying traffic signals are crucial.
The county government must maintain and monitor the lights regularly.
Expansion to more junctions like Annex, Huruma, and Pioneer is essential.
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The Road Ahead
The implementation of working traffic lights in Eldoret is more than a traffic solution — it’s a symbol of progress. As the town gears up to become Kenya’s next city, proper infrastructure is key.
Let’s embrace this change, obey the lights, and make Eldoret’s roads safer and faster for everyone.
