Heavy traffic expected as Nairobi closes key roads ahead of Kenya-Zambia match

Motorists have been urged to avoid Thika Road today, Sunday, August 17, 2025, as Nairobi implements temporary road closures and diversions to ease movement ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 match between Kenya and Zambia at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

In a traffic advisory, Nairobi County Traffic Officer Commanding Police, Joseph Chirchir, announced that Aerodrome Road from Madaraka Roundabout to Bunyala Roundabout, one lane of Lang’ata Road from Madaraka Roundabout to Lusaka Roundabout, and one lane of Mombasa Road from Lusaka Roundabout to Bunyala Roundabout will remain closed.

Motorists from Mombasa Road heading to the city centre have been directed to use Likoni Road-Enterprise Road near General Motors or the Southern Bypass via Ole Sereni. Those from Lang’ata Road have been advised to use Raila Odinga Road or Muhoho Road through Mbagathi Roundabout.

Chirchir said traffic flow along the Thika Superhighway will also be affected, with motorists from the city centre heading to Ruiru, Juja, or Thika required to use Kiambu Road at Exit 4, as a roadblock will be placed at Muthaiga. Vehicles using the highway and heading to Mwiki have been urged to use the Ruaraka-Baba Ndogo-Lucky Summer-Nairobi River route.

For those from Thika, Juja and Ruiru heading into Nairobi, diversions will be at the Ruiru interchange, with vehicles directed to either use the Northern Bypass or Kiambu Road. Vehicles from Githurai to the CBD have also been instructed to use Githurai 44-Kiambu Road.

The advisory further urged motorists from the city centre heading to Kasarani Stadium without vehicle access passes to use the service lane at Exit 7 and Exit 8.

“The National Police Service continues to work collaboratively with relevant agencies and urges all motorists to cooperate with officers on-site to ensure smooth traffic flow. Additional police officers have been deployed and will take stern action against anyone violating traffic rules,” Chirchir said.

The measures come as the government steps up security following the chaos during Kenya’s match against Morocco, which prompted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to fine the Football Kenya Federation Sh12 million.

President William Ruto on Friday appealed to Kenyans to exercise restraint and abide by CAF rules while attending the match, which kicks off at 3 pm.

“On Sunday, we have a match between Kenya and Zambia at Kasarani. I ask Kenyans, let’s not cause distractions. Let’s ensure we follow the procedures and the CAF rules,” he said while speaking at State House, Nairobi.

“This is important so that we can continue our football game in a fair and safe way. Let’s make sure we build our nation’s reputation as a nation that knows how to play football fairly and with respect.”

To accommodate fans without tickets, six official fan zones have been set up in Nairobi—Uhuru Park, Lucky Summer (Ngomongo Area, behind Kasarani Stadium), Dandora Stadium, Utalii (Stima Club), Jacaranda Grounds and Kibera DC Grounds. Each site will have big screens and police officers to guarantee safety.

Kenya will host Zambia in a decisive Group A fixture as Harambee Stars aim to cement the top spot and advance to the knockout stage of the CHAN 2024 tournament.

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