Nairobi Expressway & List Of Roads To Be Closed For Upcoming Marathon

Nairobi residents and motorists have been advised to expect widespread traffic disruptions this weekend as the city hosts the fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon.

Set to take place on Sunday, July 6, the event is expected to attract at least 15,000 participants, making it the largest edition of the race so far. To accommodate the marathon, numerous roads will be closed from as early as 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5.

The Nairobi Expressway will face the most extensive closure, with both directions between James Gichuru and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) completely shut from 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 5 until 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.

Participants during a past Nairobi City Marathon. /NAIROBI CITY MARATHON

Waiyaki Way will also experience traffic restrictions. Inner lanes between Musa Gitau Road and the Expressway entrance will be closed from midnight to 10 a.m. on Sunday, while two lanes on each side between James Gichuru Road and the Expressway entrance will remain inaccessible from midnight to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

In Upper Hill, Aerodrome Road near Nyayo Stadium will be closed for an extended period, beginning Friday, July 4 at 10 p.m. and lasting until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Meanwhile, major access points along Mombasa Road and the Southern Bypass — including roundabouts, exits, and entry routes towards the Central Business District (CBD) — will be closed from midnight on Saturday to 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Motorists within the Nairobi CBD should prepare for significant disruption as several streets will be fully closed from midnight on Saturday to 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

These include Harry Thuku Road, University Way (from Uhuru Highway Roundabout to the slip road), Koinange Street (between University Way and Kenyatta Avenue), Kenyatta Avenue (from Koinange to Moi Avenue) and Kimathi Street

Other roads to be affected include Simba Street, Mama Ngina Street (between Simba and Kimathi), City Hall Way (from Simba to Parliament Road), Taifa Road, Harambee Avenue (from Taifa to Parliament Road), and Parliament Road (between Harambee Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue).

Key highway intersections will also face restrictions, particularly crossing points on Mombasa Road and the Southern Bypass via Likoni Road, which will be closed from midnight to 11 a.m. Sunday. Intersections linking the Expressway and the Bypass will experience significant delays.

Along Thika Road, exit A2 towards Uhuru Highway heading to Mombasa Road will be closed from midnight to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

All marathon events will kick off at Uhuru Park. Organisers have scheduled several races, including the flagship 42-kilometre marathon, a 21-kilometre half marathon starting at 7:30 a.m., an 11.7-kilometre Expressway run at 9:00 a.m., and a 4-kilometre fun run beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The Nairobi City Marathon continues to grow in scale and popularity, prompting authorities to appeal for patience and cooperation from residents as they work to ensure a safe and successful event.

Map of roads to be closed ahead of the Nairobi City Marathon. /ARCFYRE INTERNATIONAL