List Of Major Roads To Be Closed From Sunday Ahead Of 2024 CHAN

Nairobi residents and commuters are being urged to prepare for significant traffic disruptions set to begin this weekend, as the capital gets ready to host the opening match of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The tournament, which will run from August 3 to August 18, is expected to draw large crowds to the city’s two main stadiums: the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) in Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium.

The disruptions will begin in earnest on Sunday, August 3, when Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Stars, kick off their CHAN campaign with a highly anticipated clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The match will be held at the newly renovated MISC Kasarani, and is expected to attract thousands of fans from across the country and beyond.

In anticipation of increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic, Nairobi’s traffic police, under the leadership of Traffic Commandant Joseph Chirchir, have issued an official traffic alert, warning of closures and restricted access on several major city roads for the duration of the tournament.

According to the alert, multiple roads in Nairobi will be either fully or partially closed beginning August 3 to facilitate smooth operations around the tournament venues and ensure the safety of players, officials, and fans.

Among the affected roads:

Aerodrome Road: This key road will be completely closed from Madaraka Roundabout to Bunyala Roundabout. This closure is expected to particularly affect commuters heading to and from the city centre and Upper Hill areas.

Lang’ata Road: One of the city’s busiest arteries, Lang’ata Road will face partial closures between Madaraka and Lusaka roundabouts. Delays are expected during peak hours, especially on match days.

Mombasa Road: A section of Mombasa Road will be closed on one side, from the Lusaka Roundabout to Bunyala Roundabout. This disruption is due to the matches being hosted at the nearby Nyayo Stadium, one of the two venues for CHAN 2024.

To minimize the impact of these disruptions and assist motorists in navigating the city, the Nairobi County Traffic Police have announced a comprehensive diversion plan.

Motorists from Mombasa Road heading towards the Nairobi CBD are advised to divert at General Motors via Likoni-Enterprise Road, and connect to the Southern Bypass at Ole Sereni for easier access to various city locations.

Commuters using Lang’ata Road en route to the CBD are encouraged to use Raila Odinga Road or Muhoho Road at the Mbagathi Roundabout to bypass congested sections.

For those traveling from the CBD to Juja and Thika, police recommend using either Limuru Road or Kiambu Road, both of which offer alternative northern routes that bypass the central congestion zones.

Matatus ferrying fans to the Kasarani stadium have been instructed to take Ruaraka Baba Dogo Road and Ngomongo Road, which lead to Ngomongo Roundabout, situated close to MISC. This diversion is intended to ease pressure on the Thika Superhighway and other main access points.

Motorists approaching the CBD from Thika Road are also advised to consider alternate routes such as the Eastern Bypass, Kiambu Road, or Limuru Road, which can help them avoid delays along the typically busy superhighway.

The 2024 CHAN tournament will bring a flurry of activity to Nairobi over the next two weeks. Beyond Kenya’s group matches, the tournament will also feature high-stakes clashes between several of Africa’s top footballing nations.

Nyayo Stadium will host multiple major fixtures, including

1. Morocco vs Angola – August 3
2. DR Congo vs Zambia – August 7
3. Zambia vs Angola – August 10
4. Morocco vs Zambia – August 14
5. DR Congo vs Morocco – August 17
6. Algeria vs Niger – August 18

Meanwhile, the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will stage several matches as well, most notably: Angola vs DR Congo – August 15

The government has invested heavily in renovating both stadiums ahead of CHAN 2024, aiming to provide world-class facilities and a memorable experience for players and fans alike. Security has also been heightened around both venues, with heavy police deployment expected throughout the tournament period.

The Nairobi Traffic Police Department is appealing to all motorists, public transport operators, and pedestrians to remain patient, plan their routes early, and adhere to all traffic directives during the tournament period.

“While we understand the inconvenience this may cause to Nairobi residents, these measures are necessary to ensure the successful hosting of an international event of this scale,” said Chirchir. “We ask for maximum cooperation from the public to make this a smooth and secure tournament for everyone.”

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