Motorists in Nairobi have been advised to plan ahead for road closures and traffic diversions scheduled from Saturday midnight to Sunday, October 25, 2026, due to the Standard Chartered Marathon.

In a notice issued on October 23, motorists were informed that the closures and traffic diversions would run for 14 hours, with alternative routes provided depending on their destinations.

“Please be advised of scheduled road closures on Sunday, 25 October, to accommodate the Standard Chartered. To ensure smooth travel, please take note of the designated alternative routes and plan your journey in advance,” read part of the statement.

The Nairobi Southern Bypass will be completely closed between Ole Sereni Interchange and Kikuyu Town.

Lang’ata Road and Ngong Road will experience partial closures and security restrictions near Uhuru Gardens and sections bordering Nairobi National Park.

Standard Chartered Marathon Road Closures and Alternative Routes for Motorists

Motorists travelling from Kikuyu to Dagoretti can use the Southern Bypass, while those heading to Kikuyu from Karen via Dagoretti Road can also access the route via the bypass.

Drivers leaving Karen Shopping Centre for Kikuyu should use Dagoretti Road. Those heading to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass should use Lang’ata Road.

Motorists at Galleria Mall on Lang’ata Road travelling to Kikuyu should use Dagoretti Road via Lang’ata Road, while those heading to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass should be diverted through Uhuru Highway.

Vehicles travelling from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) to Kikuyu via the Southern Bypass should use Waiyaki Way, then Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway.

Drivers heading from Mombasa Road to Emara Ole Sereni will access the facility through Nextgen Mall. Motorists using Likoni Road to reach Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass have been directed to use Enterprise Road.



Other Alternatives

Drivers travelling from Kikuyu to Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass have been advised to use Waiyaki Way. Those travelling from Dagoretti to Mombasa Road can use Waiyaki Way or take Ngong Road through Mbagathi Way.

Motorists from Lenana Road on Ngong Road heading to Kikuyu will use Waiyaki Way through Naivasha Road or James Gichuru Road.

Those travelling from Lenana Road towards Mombasa Road via the Southern Bypass will be diverted through Lang’ata Road and Karen Road.

Trailers and lorries travelling from Waiyaki Way towards Mombasa Road have also been directed to use Waiyaki Way.



About the Marathon

The Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, with participants competing in the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km road race and 5km family fun run. A wheelchair half marathon will also be held over the 21km distance.

The 21km wheelchair race will start at 5:30am, followed by the 42km full marathon at 5:45am. The half marathon will begin at 7:05am, while the 10km race is scheduled for 8:45am. The 5km family fun run will have a rolling start at 10am.

All participants will assemble outside Carnivore along Southern Bypass Road. Wheelchair half-marathon runners are expected to arrive at 4:45am and assemble at 5:10am, while full-marathon participants will arrive at 4:45am and assemble at 5:35am.

Half-marathon runners should arrive at 6:15am and assemble at 6:45am. Participants in the 10km race are expected at 8am, with assembly at 8:40am, while family fun-run participants should arrive at 9am and assemble at 9:40am.

The finish line for the 10km, 21km and 42km races, as well as the wheelchair half marathon, will be at Uhuru Gardens.

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Standard Chartered Marathon to Affect Travel Between Kikuyu, Karen and Mombasa Road on October 25
Standard Chartered Bank management presenting prize money to past marathon winners. PHOTO/Standard Chartered