Motorists in Nairobi CBD faced temporary traffic disruptions on Thursday following a security advisory issued by the National Police Service ahead of two high-profile events in the city centre.
According to police, the disruptions were necessary to facilitate President William Ruto’s address at City Hall and the ongoing Africa Urban Forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
Key Roads Affected
Authorities confirmed that several roads within the CBD were either restricted or temporarily closed due to a shared security perimeter around the venues.
The affected routes included City Hall Way, sections of Wabera Street near City Hall, and the Supreme Court–Parliament Roundabout.
Motorists were advised to plan their journeys in advance, use alternative routes, and strictly follow directions issued by traffic officers deployed across the area.
Historic Presidential Address
President Ruto’s appearance at City Hall marked a significant moment, as he delivered what is being described as the first formal address by a sitting Kenyan head of state to the Nairobi County Assembly.
The speech is expected to highlight progress on a Sh80 billion cooperation agreement between the national government and the Nairobi County administration led by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The partnership focuses on key urban development projects, including the expansion of drainage systems to tackle persistent flooding, improved solid waste management, enhanced street lighting, road upgrades, and the ongoing Nairobi River regeneration programme.
Heightened Security and Coordination
Security agencies intensified coordination between national and county teams to ensure smooth execution of the events, with police emphasizing that the measures were critical for public safety.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, authorities maintained that the traffic restrictions were necessary to guarantee both security and seamless organisation of the events.
Normal traffic flow is expected to resume once the events conclude.
