Nairobi Expressway announces closure ahead of City Marathon
Motorists who regularly use the Nairobi Expressway must find alternative routes starting on Saturday night, June 6, 2026. The elevated highway will be closed temporarily to allow the capital city to host its major annual athletics event, which attracts thousands of local and international athletes to Nairobi.
Moja Expressway Company announced that the entire toll road will be shut down starting June 6, 2026, at 9:30 pm. According to the operator, the closure is necessary “to pave way for the 5th Edition of the Nairobi City Marathon.”
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A public notice shared by the company indicates that normal traffic flow will only resume after the sporting event concludes on Sunday, June 7, 2026. This means drivers planning late-night or early-morning trips across the city must adjust their travel schedules.
“Please note that the Nairobi Expressway will be temporarily closed from 9;30 pm to pave way for the 5th Edition of the Nairobi City Marathon,” the notice read in part.
Impact on weekend commuters
This temporary disruption affects thousands of regular commuters and weekend travellers who depend on the 27-kilometre highway to bypass the usual ground-level congestion.
Because the marathon takes over the entire deck of the highway, anyone heading to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or entering the city centre from the Mlolongo side must seek alternative options.
The highway operator has not given a specific time for reopening the road on Sunday, June 7, 2026. They have stated that the resumption of normal traffic operations will be communicated in due course, so drivers should look out for official updates before heading out.
Alternative routes to use
Drivers will have to rely on lower roads such as Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, and Waiyaki Way while the expressway remains closed.
These ground-level routes are expected to experience much heavier traffic volumes than usual, particularly on Sunday morning when the main marathon races get underway.
Traffic police are expected to deploy at major intersections to keep vehicles moving, but some delays are still likely.
Motorists can contact the Moja Expressway service hotline on 0111039777 for immediate assistance or real-time route updates.
Planning your journey well in advance remains the best way to avoid being caught in traffic gridlocks during this major sporting weekend.
