Thousands stranded in three-day 30-mile traffic jam

Kenyan police have been deployed to ease a traffic jam reportedly stretching for 30 miles (50km) on the highway between Mombasa and Nairobi.



The road is crucial for East Africa's economy as it links the port of Mombasa to landlocked countries, such as Uganda, South Sudan and Rwanda. The worst-affected area is around Taru, about 80km from Mombasa.





Correspondents say the jam has been caused by repairs to the road following heavy rains. Traffic jams are common in Kenya and are often caused by its badly maintained road network but this is said to be the worst for several years.

Hopefully this BBC News YouTube video wil be playable outside the UK.

YouTube link. Alternative Kenyan news YouTube video.

More than 1,500 trucks have been stuck, Willingtone Kiberenge, acting chief executive of the Kenya Transporters Association, said. Some motorists have been stuck in the countryside, miles from the nearest shop, since the jam began on Tuesday evening.