ALL AWAIT RACE TO SAVE LIVES: Traffic to be diverted, roads closed ahead of First Lady’s run

Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta (C) runs during the First Lady's Half Marathon in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, March 9, 2014. The half marathon organized by Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta was aimed at raising funds for a campaign on decreased maternal deaths and child mortality. March 2014 (Xinhua/Allan Muturi)

More than 15,000 participants are expected to take part in the second edition of First Lady Lady’s Half Marathon in Nairobi on March 8.

This is an anchor event for the Beyond Zero Campaign. The move comes as First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, the event patron, and her team intensified training at Lornah Kiplagat Sports Academy Stadium in Iten ahead of the annual contest.

Nairobi County Traffic Police boss Musyoki Mutungi yesterday announced the affected roads in the city, especially along the designated course, which will be closed or have diversions between 1am and 1pm on the competition day.

“We have an elaborate and comprehensive plan to manage traffic that day. There will be diversions and closures of some roads within Nairobi County. Diversions and closures of the affected roads will take place as from 1.00am and 5.00am respectively up to noon on the material day.”

“Motorists from Mombasa heading to the city centre and other parts of the country through Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway, will be diverted at Enterprise Road/Mombasa Road junction (GM).

They will access Central Business District through either Enterprise Road or Mombasa Road, which will be used as a single carriage way.

At Lusaka roundabout, motorists from Mombasa direction will be diverted to access their various destinations via either City Stadium through Lusaka Road or Haile Selassie Avenue roundabout through Bunyala roundabout wrong side through Baricho road,” said Mutungi.

Motorists using Ngong Road will be diverted at Haile Selassie roundabout to access City Mortuary through Kenyatta Avenue/Uhuru Highway (Nyayo House) roundabout.

And motorists intending to take Kenyatta Avenue will be diverted at Kenyatta Avenue/Uhuru Highway roundabout to access Kenyatta Avenue/State House Avenue junction from the wrong side and the stretch will be used as a single carriageway and motorists will be directed accordingly, said Mutungi.

Motorists from Ngong Road intending to access CBD and other parts through Mbagathi Road will be diverted at the City Mortuary roundabout to use Valley Road, Kenyatta Avenue or Mbagathi Road’s wrong side.

But Mombasa Road shall remain closed from Enterprise Road to Lusaka Road as well as Lang’ata Road roundabout.

Athletics Kenya Vice President David Okeyo said registration will close on Friday to enable organisers work on other logistics ahead of the second edition of the race.

“There will be an Expo from Friday to March 6 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where distribution of running numbers will be done,” Okeyo said.

James Mang’erere, the Standard Chartered Marathon wheelchair race winner, will be keen to defend his title as he leads other athletes in the race.