Nairobi motorists face a weekend of disruption as police cordon off key routes around Nyayo Stadium for the high-stakes HSBC SVNS 2 rugby tournament.

If you are planning to drive through Nairobi this weekend, you might want to rethink your route. The National Police Service has issued a red alert for traffic disruptions as the city hosts the prestigious HSBC SVNS 2 series at Nyayo National Stadium. The tournament, which brings together 12 elite international teams, has necessitated a security lockdown that will see major arteries severed from the grid.

The Closure Plan

Nairobi Traffic Commandant Silas Bundi has been clear: convenience will take a backseat to security. Starting from midnight on Friday, the area around the stadium will effectively become a fortress. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-7)The primary casualty is Aerodrome Road, which will be completely shut down for the duration of the two-day event. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-9)Motorists attempting to use this shortcut between Lang`ata Road and Mombasa Road will be turned back.

• Aerodrome Road: Total closure between Madaraka and Bunyala Road roundabouts. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-11)No vehicle access allowed.
• Mombasa Road: Partial closure. Expect heavy delays as lanes are restricted to manage the flow of VIPs and team buses.
• Lang`ata Road: Partial closure between the Lusaka and Bunyala roundabouts. Traffic will be diverted, likely causing spillover congestion into Nairobi West and South C.

A "Historic Moment" with a Price

The disruption is the price Nairobi pays for hosting a world-class sporting event. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-13)"This is to ensure safe movement of those who will be coming to the stadium," Bundi explained. With tickets sold out and thousands of fans expected, the police are taking no chances with crowd control or potential security threats.

Commuters are advised to use the Southern Bypass or Uhuru Highway as alternatives, though snarl-ups are anticipated there as well. The message from the authorities is simple: unless you are going to the rugby, steer clear of Nyayo Stadium. The rugby action might be fast, but the traffic around it will be anything but.