Motorists in Nairobi should prepare for major traffic disruptions on Friday, September 5, as Kenya hosts Gambia in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Kasarani Stadium. The match kicks off at 4:00 pm, and several road closures and diversions have been confirmed to ease congestion along Thika Road.
Which routes will be affected?
According to a traffic advisory issued by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), key diversions will be in place throughout the day. Motorists heading to Mwiki via Thika Road are advised to use Ruaka–Baba Dogo–Lucky Summer–Nairobi River–Mwiki route. Those driving toward Ruiru, Juja, or Thika will need to divert through Kiambu Road at Exit 4, as there will be a roadblock at Muthaiga.
For motorists heading into Nairobi CBD from Thika, Juja, or Ruiru, the Northern Bypass or Kiambu Road is recommended to avoid the roadblock at the Ruiru interchange. Drivers traveling from Githurai to the CBD will instead be diverted to the Githurai 44–Kiambu Road route.
How can fans access Kasarani Stadium?
Only motorists with a vehicle access pass will be allowed direct entry to Kasarani Stadium. Those without passes coming from Nairobi CBD must use the service lanes at Exit 7 and Exit 8 along Thika Road. To manage the high volume of traffic, the National Police Service confirmed that additional officers will be deployed along key routes. “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,” the statement read.
What is at stake for Kenya in this match?
Kenya sits fourth in its qualification group with six points and must secure victory against the Scorpions to keep faint World Cup hopes alive. Group leaders Ivory Coast with 16 points, Gabon on 15, and Burundi with 10 remain in strong positions to qualify automatically, raising the stakes for the Harambee Stars’ performance at Kasarani.
By Yockshard Enyendi