Nairobi Traffic Commandant Edward Mwamburi revealed that the roads will be closed from as early as 5am to facilitate smooth movement of the Pontiff in the city/FILE
Nairobi Traffic Commandant Edward Mwamburi revealed that the roads will be closed from as early as 5am to facilitate smooth movement of the Pontiff in the city.
“There will be major interruptions on the 26th, this is the day that we have major functions in terms of the Mass at UON grounds and therefore for vehicles that will be approaching from Mombasa, the road will be blocked after Bunyala roundabout. The roundabout will be free for any manoeuvre of any vehicle if for one reason or another, a motorist was not aware of such an arrangement,” he said.
He explained that vehicles that will be trying to access Uhuru Highway from Waiyaki Way will not be able to do so beyond the Slip Road on to Museum Hill.
“The road will be blocked just around that point to enable vehicles caught up in this arrangement to use Museum Hill onto Ojijo and find their way onto wherever they are able to move,” he stated.
He pointed out that cars approaching from Thika Road will be blocked at the Museum Hill at the Museum Gate.
“That way, we’ll be able to take care of those vehicles that will want to access Chiromo road from the slip road on Ojijo and also those that will like to use the overpass onto Riverside,” he stated.
“Vehicles that will be approaching the City Centre from Muranga Road – perhaps coming from Thika direction – will be able to use Globe Cinema roundabout; it will be open on all those adjoining areas, Kipande Road, Kirinyaga Road, Tom Mboya Street, River Road etc.”
He further indicated that arrangements have also been made to ensure that vehicles are parked in an orderly manner.
Nairobi police chief Japheth Koome urged motorists to strictly adhere to directions issued by traffic police officers to avoid landing in trouble.
“We are opening the gates (at the university grounds) at 4am. We expect over a million people and that is why we strongly feel if we allow vehicles to drive anywhere near the venue, we will inconvenience everybody therefore at 5am, we close those roads we have mentioned to vehicular traffic not human traffic,” he said.
The Pope is set to arrive in Nairobi at 5pm Wednesday and will head straight to State House for a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He will hold a mass at the University of Nairobi grounds on Thursday, visit Kangemi slum on Friday before meeting the youth at the Kasarani stadium on Friday.
About The Author
