Major Traffic Disruptions Expected in Nairobi This Weekend for Grand Bike Race Event

Traffic jam in Nairobi. Photo: iStock

Traffic in Nairobi will be severely disrupted on Sunday for the Grand Nairobi Bike Race with most roads closed from dawn till 2 pm.

The race, whose start and finish will be at Nyayo Stadium, has attracted 2,500 cyclists from over 21 countries among them Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the USA.

Key roads that will be affected cut across the central business district, including Lang'ata Road, Uhuru Highway, and Haile Selassie Avenue, all of which will be completely closed.

Other routes to be affected include the Southern Bypass, Madaraka Roundabout, Masaba Road, and Bunyala Road, leaving motorists with very limited options for alternative routes.

Motorists have been advised to plan ahead given the expected severe delays, as was also realized in events like the Nairobi City Marathon where roadblocks created long queues of brokerage.

KURA and race organizers have called on drivers to follow guidance from traffic marshals but do not announce officially detour routes for roads that will be affected.

The race has grown into one of the largest cycling events in East Africa, with participants competing across six categories, including the 60-kilometer main race and a 48-kilometer para-cycling race.

This year's competition is expected to be highly contested, especially by Uganda, which topped the previous event. 

The Grand Nairobi Bike Race is courtesy of Live Free by Jubilee Insurance. 

It anticipates creating a cycling community as it promotes regional talent in the sport.