It's all systems go as Nakuru hosts Madaraka fete

Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) worker paints along the pavements on Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru Town ahead of Tomorrow’s Madaraka Day celebrations to be held at Afraha Stadium. This will be the first time since independence that the celebration will take place outside Nairobi. (PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH/ STANDARD)

Nakuru town faces a major lock-down today as President Uhuru Kenyatta leads the 53rd Madaraka Day celebrations at Afraha Stadium.

Security agencies announced that all major roads to and out of the town will be closed during the first national fete to be held outside Nairobi.

Only vehicles with special passes will have easy access to the central business district.

Those who will attend the event at the newly refurbished stadium will be required to abandon their vehicles at two designated areas on the outskirts of the town and walk to the venue.

The Nairobi-Nakuru highway will be temporarily closed between 10am and 11am and again at around 2pm to allow dignitaries and other invited guests with special vehicle passes to go in and out of the stadium.

The public attending the event will be required to carry special gate passes to the venue, which will be under tight security, said Rift Valley regional coordinator Wanyama Musiambo.

He said those without the invitation cards must arrive at the venue early enough to undergo thorough security check.

Addressing the Press at the stadium, Mr Musiambo assured Kenyans that security had been beefed up around the venue.

According to him, no other celebrations would take place in all the 11 sub-counties within Nakuru County.

Musiambo, who was briefing the media on security arrangements, said gates will be opened from 5.30am and all guests are expected to be seated by 9am.

Traffic in Nakuru town will be disrupted for the better part of the day as major roads will remain closed for motorists, he said.

The Nairobi-Nakuru highway will be closed between 10am and 11am to allow President Kenyatta and his entourage to move from State House Nakuru to Afraha Stadium.

The busy highway will be closed at Kiondo Trading Centre on the eastern side of the town, and at the Total roundabout on the western side.

"Others that will be affected include Kariba Road (from Deliverance Church to Flamingo road), Moi Road, Geoffrey Kamau, Odinga Oginga and all other roads leading to the central business district," said Musiambo.

Those planning to attend the celebrations and have no special stickers will be forced to abandon their cars far from the CBD.

Those coming  from the western side of the town without the special stickers will have to leave their cars at the Nakuru ASK Showground.

And those approaching the town from the eastern side without the special vehicle stickers will have to leave their cars at the Kenya Railway Station.