Motorists using the busy Nairobi Expressway have been advised to seek alternative routes as the highway will be inaccessible for at least 17 hours.
The Nairobi Expressway will be closed from James Gichuru to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) between 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, to facilitate the fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon, scheduled for Saturday.
In addition, two lanes on both sides between James Gichuru Road and the entrance to the Expressway will be inaccessible from midnight to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Intersections linking the expressway and the bypass are the ones that will be most affected.
Expressway to be closed for 17 Hours Ahead of Nairobi City Marathon
At the same time, several roads have been cordoned off to facilitate the marathon, meaning traffic will be disrupted starting as early as 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5.
Waiyaki Way will also experience restrictions, with the inner lanes between Musa Gitau Road and the Expressway entrance set to be closed from midnight to 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Aerodrome Road, located in the Upper Hill area near Nyayo Stadium, will be closed for a relatively longer period.
According to official communication from the Nairobi City Marathon, the road will be closed from 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4, until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Major access points along Mombasa Road and the Southern Bypass—including roundabouts, exits, and entry points into the city—will also remain closed from midnight on Saturday to 11 a.m. on Sunday
Crossing points on Mombasa Road and the Southern bypass via Likoni Road will be closed from midnight to 11 am on Sunday. Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue (between PanAfric Hotel and Uhuru Highway) will also remain closed.
Meanwhile, on Thika Road, exit A2 toward Uhuru Highway, as one is heading towards Mombasa Road, will also be closed for the marathon from midnight to 2 pm.
Also Read: Millions Nairobi City Marathon Winners Will Take Home
List of Nairobi CBD Roads to Be Closed This Weekend
In the Nairobi CBD, several streets will be completely shut down from midnight on Saturday to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The affected roads include Harry Thuku Road and University Way, specifically from the Uhuru Highway Roundabout to the slip road.
Koinange Street, between University Way and Kenyatta Avenue, will also be closed, as well as Kenyatta Avenue, from Koinange Street to Moi Avenue.
Other streets to be shut include Kimathi Street, Simba Street, and Mama Ngina Street, between Simba Street and Kimathi Street.
City Hall Way, from Simba Street to Parliament Road, will also be inaccessible.
Additionally, Taifa Road, Harambee Avenue (from Taifa Road to Parliament Road), and Parliament Road (between Harambee Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue) will be closed to traffic.
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National Police Service spokesperson Caroline Jerop urged residents to plan their movements early to avoid disruptions.
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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