Nairobi Traffic Advisory Issued Ahead of Kenya vs Gambia World Cup Qualifier

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-05 13:00 EAT. Motorists face major traffic diversions Friday afternoon as Kasarani hosts Kenya’s Harambee Stars against The Gambia in a crucial Africa World Cup qualifying match kicking off at 16:00 EAT.

The Latest

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Nairobi traffic police announced closures along Thika Superhighway and feeder roads to manage match-day congestion. Status: confirmed; restrictions lift post-match (~18:00 EAT).

Context in Brief

• Venue: Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

• Group standings: Kenya 4th; must win to keep qualifying hopes alive.

• Crowd control: Larger-than-usual attendance expected; car-pooling/public transport advised.

Law, Policy, and Process

• Agencies: FKF + Nairobi Police under Traffic Act coordination.

• Mandate: Ensure safety, emergency access, and minimal disruption to non-spectator traffic.

• Timeline: Restrictions 12:00–18:30 EAT on match day; gradual reopening after final whistle.

Voices and Stakeholders

• Police spokesperson: “We urge all motorists to cooperate and follow diversion signs,” Nairobi, 2025-09-05.

• FKF official: Emphasized safety for fans, players, and local commuters.

Evidence & Data

• Diversions:

  • City–Kasarani traffic → service lanes Exit 7/8.

  • Thika–Nairobi traffic → Northern Bypass, Kiambu Road, Githurai 44 corridor.

  • Mwiki-bound vehicles → Ruaka–Baba Dogo–Lucky Summer–Nairobi River Road.

• Roadblocks: Muthaiga interchange, Exit 4 near Kiambu Road.

Risks and Implications

• Commuter delays for non-spectators if diversions ignored.

• Emergency response coordination critical in high-traffic corridors.

• Potential overtime traffic buildup after match-end.

What We Don’t Know

• Actual traffic volumes vs forecasts.

• Whether diversions reduce congestion as planned.

• Match outcome impact on post-game crowd behavior.

Timeline

• 2025-09-05 12:00: Diversions begin.

• 2025-09-05 16:00: Kick-off Kenya vs Gambia.

• 2025-09-05 18:30: Roads reopen gradually.

What to Watch

• Live traffic updates via Nairobi Police + FKF channels.

• Commuter compliance with diversions.

• Post-match traffic clearance speed, especially on Thika Superhighway.