Kenyatta Avenue partial closure: Alternative routes to use for the next 8 months
By Valerian Khakayi, June 9, 2026Motorists using Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi will face an eight-month partial closure starting June 12, 2026, as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) undertakes major infrastructure works along the busy Central Business District (CBD) corridor.
According to KURA, the works will run until February 12, 2027.
“We wish to notify the general public that a section of Kenyatta Avenue will be partially closed as from Friday, 12th June 2026, till Friday, 12th February 2027 (eight months), both days inclusive,” KURA announced.
Kenyatta Avenue location
Kenyatta Avenue is located in the heart of the Nairobi CBD. It runs in a west-to-east direction, connecting Uhuru Highway at its western end to the Moi Avenue roundabout at its eastern end.
The road links key areas such as Upper Hill, Milimani and the central business district, making it a critical commuter and commercial route.
At the western boundary, Kenyatta Avenue begins near the Nairobi Serena Hotel and Central Park, where it intersects with Uhuru Highway before continuing toward Upper Hill as Valley Road.
While at the eastern end, it meets Moi Avenue near the Hilton Nairobi building. Along the corridor, it intersects with major streets, including Koinange Street, Muindi Mbingu Street and Kimathi Street, making it one of the busiest roads in the city centre.
During the construction period, motorists have been advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays, particularly during peak hours when traffic congestion is expected to intensify.
Alternative routes
To ease movement within and around the CBD, motorists can use the following alternatives:
- East–West CBD movement
University Way: This is the main alternative east–west corridor along the northern edge of the CBD.
It connects Museum Hill and Uhuru Highway to Moi Avenue and Murang’a Road, allowing uninterrupted cross-city movement without accessing Kenyatta Avenue.
City Hall Way: Running parallel to Kenyatta Avenue, this route provides a southern internal CBD bypass via Harambee Avenue.
It is useful for short trips within the city centre, especially between government offices, Parliament Buildings and Moi Avenue.
- Northern & Southern CBD connections
Nyerere Road & Arboretum Drive: These routes allow motorists to bypass the central congestion zone while moving between Westlands, State House Road, Uhuru Highway and Upper Hill.
Mbagathi Way (Raila Odinga Road) and Argwings Kodhek Road: These serve as key alternatives for traffic originating from Ngong Road and Lang’ata, enabling vehicles to loop around Upper Hill and connect to Mombasa Road without using Kenyatta Avenue.
- Full City Bypass options
For motorists who wish to avoid the CBD entirely, Southern Bypass provides a direct connection between Mombasa Road, Kikuyu and Waiyaki Way, bypassing the city centre.
Alternatively, Northern and Eastern Bypasses, since these routes are ideal for traffic moving between Thika Road, JKIA and the Nairobi–Nakuru highway, reducing pressure on central Nairobi roads.
The partial closure will remain in place until the completion of the works in February 2027, after which normal traffic operations along Kenyatta Avenue are expected to resume.