Motorists in Nairobi are being advised to anticipate significant traffic congestion this weekend due to the 2026 Nairobi City Marathon, which will cause extensive road closures on the Nairobi Expressway and major urban thoroughfares.
Event organizers have announced that road blockades will commence at midnight on Sunday, June 7, with complete traffic flow resuming between 2pm and 4pm.
The marathon, scheduled to commence at City Hall at 6:45am and conclude at 2pm, will implement gradual reopening of streets as participants complete various segments.
Primary routes affected encompass the Nairobi Expressway, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, City Hall Way, University Way, and numerous connecting roads within the central business district.
Portions of the Southern Bypass will also experience limited access as the marathon course traverses select urban sections.
Both directions of the Nairobi Expressway from James Gichuru to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will be shut down from Saturday 10pm until Sunday 3pm.
Similarly, inner lanes of Waiyaki Way from the Nairobi School entrance to the Expressway entrance will be closed during this timeframe, with two inner lanes on each side unavailable from 12am to 10am on Sunday.
Within the CBD, Koinange Street, University Way (between Uhuru Highway and Slip Road), Moi Avenue (between University Way and City Hall Way), Simba Street, and Muindi Mbingu Street will be restricted from 12am to 2pm on Sunday.
Kenyatta Avenue (between PanAfric Hotel and Moi Avenue), Haile Selassie Avenue, and Processional Way (from Cathedral Road to Uhuru Highway) will maintain closures until 4pm.
City Hall Way will face complete shutdown from Saturday 12pm to Sunday 2pm, with neighboring streets expected to experience slowdowns during the event.
Organizers have encouraged drivers to arrange their journeys in advance, select alternative pathways, and remain positioned along affected routes to prevent traffic buildup and safeguard runners.
The yearly event sustains its tradition of generating a jubilant environment for competitors and spectators lining the course. This installment will feature more than 17,000 registrants, comprising professional runners and debutants.