NAIROBI, Kenya June 6 – Nairobi residents are urged to prepare for major traffic delays this weekend as the Nairobi City Marathon prompts the closure of several key roads across the capital.
The disruptions, which will begin late Saturday and continue through Sunday afternoon, are expected to affect movement along major transport corridors, including the Nairobi Expressway, Uhuru Highway, Waiyaki Way and several roads within the central business district.
According to organisers, the Nairobi Expressway will be closed in both directions between James Gichuru Road and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from 10 p.m. on Saturday until 3 p.m. on Sunday. Sections of Waiyaki Way, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue will also be inaccessible for varying periods during the race.
Kenyatta Avenue will be inaccessible between Panafric Hotel and Moi Avenue during the same period, while Haile Selassie Avenue will be closed from Cathedral Road to Uhuru Highway. Other roads affected include Processional Way, City Hall Way, Simba Street and several connecting roads within the central business district.
Authorities have advised motorists travelling to the city centre, the airport and surrounding commercial areas to leave early and use alternative routes to avoid delays.
The road closures will facilitate the annual Nairobi City Marathon, which has attracted 17,450 participants across four race categories.
The 10-kilometre race has drawn the largest number of entrants, accounting for 6,550 runners. The half marathon has attracted 5,050 participants, while 4,100 people have registered for the 5km Family Fun Run. A further 1,750 athletes will compete in the full marathon.
Athletics Kenya Competitions Director Kennedy Tanui said the growing popularity of the 10km category reflects increasing public interest in recreational running.
He revealed that registration reached the organisers’ target within three weeks, leading to the automatic closure of the registration portal.
“The 10km race seems to be the favourite of the City Marathon,” Tanui said, adding that the system automatically shut registration once the maximum number of participants had been reached.
