A number of major roads in Nairobi have been closed to facilitate the annual Nairobi City Marathon, which takes place today, Sunday, July 6. The closures, aimed at ensuring the safety of participants and smooth coordination of the event, began at 10 p.m. on Saturday and will last until various times in the afternoon.
The Nairobi Expressway, one of the city’s busiest roadways connecting James Gichuru to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), is fully closed in both directions. This closure started at 10 p.m. on Saturday and will remain in effect until 3 p.m. on Sunday. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes to avoid delays.
Waiyaki Way is also partially affected. The inner lanes between Musa Gitau Road and the entrance to the Expressway are closed until 10 a.m. This section is a critical connector for commuters coming from Westlands and the surrounding areas.
Additionally, several crossings and intersections on Mombasa Road and the Southern Bypass have been shut down. Specifically, the crossing at Likoni Road is inaccessible from midnight to 11 a.m. All exits and entries toward the central business district from these points are sealed off to prevent congestion and to ensure marathon runners can pass through safely.
Uhuru Highway, another critical route in the city’s transport system, is also affected. The stretch between the Southern Bypass and Langata Roundabout, as well as from Bunyala Roundabout to Kenyatta Avenue, will remain closed from midnight until 2 p.m.
Kenyatta Avenue is also fully closed from midnight until 4 p.m., specifically the stretch between PanAfric Hotel and Uhuru Highway. This is one of the key roads cutting across Nairobi’s central business district and is expected to significantly impact movement within the city center.
Other important connecting roads and junctions including University Way, Haile Selassie Avenue, Bunyala Road, Capital Centre, Popo Road, and Kapiti Road are also closed for the duration of the event. These closures are part of a comprehensive traffic management plan designed to ensure the smooth progression of the marathon route.
The marathon route will take runners through several of Nairobi’s iconic landmarks, with both the starting and finishing points located at the recently refurbished Uhuru Park. Organizers have urged residents and visitors to stay informed about the road closures and to plan their journeys accordingly.
While the closures may cause temporary inconvenience, authorities stress that they are essential to safeguard the wellbeing of athletes, spectators, and the public. The Nairobi City Marathon is a key event on the city’s calendar, drawing large crowds and international attention, and smooth coordination is vital to its success.
