Nairobi Marathon Road Closures Spark Weekend Talk

Motorists in Nairobi faced traffic disruptions on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as authorities closed sections of the Southern Bypass for the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon.

The Nairobi Marathon road closure was introduced to provide a safer route for thousands of runners and manage traffic around the event. Drivers were advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays.

According to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the main Southern Bypass closure covered the stretch between Ole Sereni Interchange and Kikuyu Town.

The closure was scheduled to begin at midnight on Saturday, October 24, and end at 2pm on Sunday, October 25. However, a separate police advisory indicated that the full closure would remain in place until 3pm.

Which Roads Will Be Affected?

The Southern Bypass, from Ole Sereni Interchange to Kikuyu Town, will be completely closed to traffic during the marathon. Sections of Lang’ata Road and Ngong Road near Uhuru Gardens and Nairobi National Park will also face partial closures and security restrictions.
The affected routes will include connections around Dagoretti Road and Mombasa Road, with traffic diversions put in place to manage movement.
Motorists travelling from different parts of Nairobi will be directed to alternative routes depending on their destinations.

What Runners and Drivers Should Plan For?

The marathon was expected to attract approximately 30,000 participants, including international runners.

Participants were encouraged to arrive early, familiarise themselves with the race arrangements and follow instructions from event officials and traffic marshals.

Drivers also needed to allow extra travel time, check alternative routes before setting out and follow directions from traffic officers.

The Kenya marathon traffic arrangements were intended to reduce congestion while keeping runners and other road users safe.

Traffic Authorities Urged Motorists to Stay Informed

The difference between the announced reopening times made it important for motorists to pay attention to updates from KeNHA and the police.

Although major sporting events bring excitement to Nairobi, they can also disrupt everyday movement, particularly when important roads are closed.

For motorists, checking traffic announcements and planning journeys ahead of time remain useful ways to avoid unnecessary delays during major public events.