Motorists in Nairobi have been advised to prepare for significant traffic disruptions this weekend as the 2026 Nairobi City Marathon prompts extensive road closures across the city.
Organisers announced that the closures will take effect from midnight on Sunday, June 7, with normal traffic flow expected to resume gradually between 2pm and 4pm after the event concludes.
The marathon, scheduled to start at City Hall at 6:45am and finish at 2pm, will see roads reopened in phases as runners clear different sections of the route.
Among the major roads affected are the Nairobi Expressway, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, City Hall Way, University Way, and several connecting streets within Nairobi’s central business district. Portions of the Southern Bypass will also experience partial restrictions during the event.
The Nairobi Expressway will remain closed in both directions between James Gichuru and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from 10pm on Saturday until 3pm on Sunday. Additionally, the inner lanes of Waiyaki Way between the Nairobi School entrance and the Expressway entry point will be inaccessible during the same period, with two inner lanes on both sides closed from midnight until 10am.
Within the CBD, roads including Koinange Street, sections of University Way, Moi Avenue, Simba Street, and Muindi Mbingu Street will be closed from midnight until 2pm. Kenyatta Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, and Processional Way are expected to remain closed until 4pm.
City Hall Way will face the longest closure, remaining inaccessible from noon on Saturday until 2pm on Sunday, while motorists should anticipate delays on nearby roads throughout the race period.
Organisers have urged road users to plan their journeys in advance, use alternative routes where possible, and follow directions from traffic marshals deployed along the marathon route to ensure smooth movement and participant safety.
The Nairobi City Marathon continues to attract growing interest each year, creating a vibrant atmosphere across the capital. This year’s edition is expected to draw more than 17,000 participants, including elite athletes, amateur runners, and fitness enthusiasts from Kenya and beyond.
