Southern Bypass & Other Major Nairobi Roads That Will Be Closed On Sunday

A series of roads in Nairobi will be closed on Sunday, October 27 for the upcoming 21st edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, a move which will mean that motorists will have to look for alternative routes.

Per a notice from the marathon organisers, the Nairobi Traffic Department has prepared a road closure schedule to ensure smooth operations and minimise disruptions. 

The marathon will commence at Uhuru Gardens along Lang’ata Road, with participants taking a scenic route on the Southern Bypass, offering views of the Nairobi National Park. However, the 5km Family Fun Run will finish on the Southern Bypass, while all other race categories will conclude at Uhuru Gardens.

Road closures will thus take effect from midnight on October 27 to 1:30 pm on the same day, with traffic set to be redirected from the Southern Bypass to alternative routes.

L-R  Joyce Kibe- Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and Africa, Benard Otieno-Superintendent of Police in charge of road traffic safety, Peter Gitau -Chairperson Local Organizing Committee for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon and Chief Inspector Nelson Chepkwony -SOP LANGATA during the press briefing for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. /HANDOUT

Alternative Routes

Drivers travelling from Karen to Kikuyu will on the day of the marathon have to use Dagoretti Road, while those heading from Karen to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass should take Lang’ata Road instead.

Motorists travelling from Kikuyu to Dagoretti will still have access to the Southern Bypass, as will those commuting from Karen (Karinde) to Kikuyu, who can connect through Dagoretti Road.

For drivers moving from Lenana (Ngong Road) to Kikuyu, Waiyaki Way will serve as the primary route, accessible via either Naivasha Road or James Gichuru Road.

Traffic from Waiyaki Way to Mombasa Road will be rerouted through Karen Road onto Lang’ata Road, although trailers and lorries will remain on Waiyaki Way.

During a press briefing at the Carnivore Grounds on Wednesday, October 23, Superintendent of Police in charge of Road Traffic Safety, Benard Otieno, assured the public that measures have been taken to ensure minimal inconvenience.

He emphasised that alternative routes had been thoughtfully selected to reduce congestion and facilitate a smooth flow of traffic during the event. 

“We wish to inform the public that the Southern Bypass will be temporarily closed from Saturday at 11 PM until Sunday at 1 PM for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. We urge motorists to cooperate with traffic authorities and use alternative routes during this period to minimize inconvenience.

“Our top priority is ensuring a safe and seamless experience for everyone. To support this, we have deployed 136 police officers, 30 DCI personnel, and 80 traffic officers to manage safety and maintain a smooth flow of traffic,” said Otieno.

Peter Gitau, the chairman of the local organizing committee assured all participants that the event would run smoothly with minimal disruptions.

“The start and finish times have been meticulously planned for a well-organised race. Our race technical director, supported by dedicated route marshals and strategically placed CCTV cameras, will oversee the entire course, ensuring a world-class marathon experience.

“As we celebrate our 21st anniversary, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards and delivering a memorable experience for everyone involved,” said Gitau.

The marathon’s start times will be as follows:

The marathon boasts a total prize pool of Ksh12.9 million across various categories. Winners, along with the first and second runners-up in the 42km full marathon, will receive Ksh2 million, Ksh1 million and Ksh500,000 respectively. 

Over 25,000 athletes from 90 nationalities have since registered for the marathon. Participants can collect their running kits on-site by visiting the running kit collection centre at Uhuru Gardens from October 23 until October 26, 2024. 

This marathon has received significant support through over Ksh173 million in support from sponsors ahead of the race, which comprises both cash and in-kind contributions. It promises to enhance the experience for participants and further empower community initiatives.

Since its inception, the marathon has welcomed over 300,000 runners, cementing its status as one of the region’s premier athletic events.

A past Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. /CAPITAL GROUP