The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has issued a travel advisory to all passengers and airport users ahead of the Nairobi City Marathon scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025.
KAA, in a statement on Saturday, July 5, warned of major road closures affecting access to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, until mid-afternoon on Sunday.
“Due to the Nairobi City Marathon tomorrow, major roads to JKIA & Wilson Airport will be closed from 10:00 PM tonight. Please plan ahead, use alternative routes & allow extra travel time,” KAA said.
The affected roads include the Nairobi Expressway, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue.
Nairobi Marathon to Disrupt Access to JKIA, Wilson Airport — KAA Warns
The Nairobi Expressway will be closed in both directions from James Gichuru to JKIA starting Saturday at 10:00 p.m. and will reopen on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
Additionally, the inner lanes of Wayaki Way, from Musa Gitau Road to the Expressway entrance, will remain closed from midnight on Sunday until late morning.
Also Read: Nairobi City Marathon Prize Money, Participants from 75 Countries and Program
Traffic disruptions are also expected along Mombasa Road and Southern Bypass intersections, where all exits and entries towards the city—particularly around Likoni Road and nearby roundabouts—will be closed from midnight until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The Uhuru Highway will be inaccessible between Southern Bypass and Lang’ata Roundabout, and also from Bunyala Roundabout to Kenyatta Avenue, with the closure lasting from midnight to 4:00 p.m.
The same applies to Kenyatta Avenue, which will be shut down between PanAfric Hotel and Uhuru Highway during the same timeframe.
Also Read: Nairobi Expressway, Mombasa Road and 3 Other Roads to Be Closed
Alternative Options to Access the Airports
The authority advised passengers to plan their travel early to avoid delays and ensure timely arrival for their flights.
“Given the expected heavy traffic and diversions, it is important to allow extra travel time,” KAA said.
Alternative routes to JKIA include the Outer Ring Road via Ruai or Thika Road depending on your direction of approach, while access to Wilson Airport can be maintained through Lang’ata Road or Mombasa Road using alternative feeder roads.
“For further assistance, passengers can contact KAA Customer Care at +254 20 661 1000 / +254 6612000,” the authority advised.
About the City Marathon
The Nairobi City Marathon now holds the distinction of offering the highest prize money for a marathon in Africa, with winners of the full marathon walking away with Ksh3.5 million each.
The runners-up and third-place finishers will earn Ksh2.25 million and Ksh1.5 million, respectively.
Top finishers in the half marathon will take home Ksh150,000, Ksh80,000, and Ksh50,000, while the 10km winners will earn Ksh100,000, Ksh60,000, and Ksh40,000.
This year’s edition has drawn participants from 75 countries. China leads the foreign pack with 375 runners, followed by India with 103. There are also significant entries from Britain, Ethiopia (41), Uganda (46), and Japan (40).
All races – the 42km, 21km, 10km, and the 4km fun run will begin at Uhuru Park, away from the usual Nyayo Stadium currently undergoing renovations, and take place largely along the Nairobi Expressway.
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