A section of Nairobi Expressway. /FILE
Nairobi is set to host the highly anticipated Nairobi City Marathon on Sunday, July 6, prompting significant road closures across the city to ensure the safety of participants and the smooth running of the event.
The marathon, which will see thousands of runners take to the streets, necessitates a comprehensive traffic management plan, with several key routes set to be closed to vehicular traffic from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.
According to the official notice, the closures will commence at 10pm on Saturday, July 5, and will extend until 2pm on Sunday, July 6, with some roads reopening later in the afternoon.
The Nairobi Expressway, a major artery connecting James Gichuru to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), will be closed in both directions from 10pm Saturday until 3pm on Sunday.
This is expected to have a significant impact on airport-bound travellers, who are advised to make alternative arrangements or allow for extra travel time.
From midnight on Sunday, the inner lanes of Waiyaki Way, stretching from Musa Gitau Road to the Expressway entrance, will remain closed until 10am.
Additionally, the crossing at Mombasa Road and the Southern Bypass Likoni Road will be inaccessible from midnight until 11am, with all roundabouts, exits, and entries towards town sealed off.
Uhuru Highway, a central thoroughfare in Nairobi, will be closed from midnight until 2pm on Sunday.
The closure affects the stretch between the Southern Bypass and Langata Roundabout, as well as between Bunyala Roundabout and Kenyatta Avenue.
Kenyatta Avenue itself will be closed from midnight until 4pm, specifically between the PanAfric Hotel and Uhuru Highway.
The notice provides a detailed map indicating which roads will be closed and which will remain open.
Roads such as Thika Road, Raila Odinga Road, Lusaka Road, Langata Road, and the Southern Bypass will remain open, offering alternative routes for motorists.
However, several critical junctions and connecting roads—including University Way, Haile Selassie Avenue, Bunyala Road, Capital Centre, Popo Road, and Kapiti Road—will be closed for the duration of the event.
The marathon route will pass through some of Nairobi’s most prominent landmarks, with the start and finish lines located at Uhuru Park.
The city’s residents and visitors are urged to familiarise themselves with the closure schedule and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid inconvenience.
Authorities have emphasised the importance of these measures in ensuring the safety of both runners and spectators.
The Nairobi City Marathon is expected to draw large crowds, and the temporary disruption to normal traffic flow is a necessary step in facilitating a successful and secure event.
Emergency services and essential vehicles will be granted access as required, and traffic marshals will be deployed to assist with diversions and provide guidance to motorists.
As Nairobi prepares to welcome athletes from across the country and beyond, the city’s residents are encouraged to support the event and exercise patience during the temporary road closures.
The marathon not only promotes fitness and community spirit but also places Nairobi on the map as a premier destination for international sporting events.
