Key Artery Closure for Public Health Event

NAIROBI, KENYA – The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a temporary closure of a major section of Mombasa Road (A8) in Nairobi on Sunday, November 30, 2025, to ensure the safety of participants in the annual World AIDS Day Half-Marathon. According to a public notice issued on Tuesday, November 25, the disruption will affect the stretch between the Nyayo National Stadium Roundabout and the Museum Hill Interchange. The road will be inaccessible to motorists for four and a half hours, from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM EAT. KeNHA has advised motorists to use alternative routes and to cooperate with police and traffic marshals who will be deployed to manage the flow of traffic.

Marathon to Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness

The 21-kilometre half-marathon is the main event in a series of activities organized to commemorate World AIDS Day, which is observed globally on December 1. The national commemoration is being led by the Ministry of Health through the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), in collaboration with county governments, development partners, and civil society organizations. The 2025 theme is, “One Race, One Goal: Ending AIDS among Adolescents and Young People,” highlighting a strategic focus on a demographic that remains highly vulnerable to new HIV infections in Kenya. Speaking at the marathon's registration launch on November 15, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga noted that the event serves as a critical platform to intensify efforts towards ending AIDS-related deaths by 2030 and to address social challenges like teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence that exacerbate HIV vulnerability.

A National Call to Action

The event at Nyayo National Stadium is more than just a race; it is a national platform for advocacy and remembrance. In addition to the main 21km race, the day will feature a 10km run, a 5km corporate challenge, a 2km children's race, and a 10km wheelchair race, ensuring wide participation. Proceeds from the marathon registration will be used to provide dignity packs for adolescents in underserved communities. Commemorative activities will also include candle-lighting vigils to honour those who have died from HIV/AIDS, alongside free health services such as HIV testing, counselling, and access to care information. The NSDCC has called on corporations and the public to participate, framing the marathon as a flagship event for promoting active lifestyles and national solidarity in the commitment to ending AIDS.

Context of HIV in Kenya

World AIDS Day provides a moment for reflection on Kenya's progress and the remaining challenges in its HIV response. According to Dr. Oluga, adolescents and young people between 15 and 24 years old account for a significant portion of new HIV infections, making targeted interventions for this group a national priority. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to antiretroviral therapy and strengthening community-level care. The marathon aims to galvanize public support and awareness, reminding Kenyans that a collective effort is required to achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation.