Major city roads closed as 37 Heads of State expected

Several major roads in Nairobi have been closed because of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) summit.

Police say there will be disruptions along Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway, among others, as the capital prepares to host 37 Heads of State.

The roads will be closed until Monday, according to Nairobi head of traffic Leonard Katana, who urged road users to plan their days well.

He said he has received a reinforcement of 400 officers to man traffic in Nairobi during the meeting.

“There will be disruptions as the VIPs will be moved from one place to the other. These include from hotels, airport and Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and we urge for cooperation from motorists,” Katana said yesterday.

Security will be enhanced in targeted areas which some pedestrians will not be allowed to access.

Parliament and Taifa roads, Harambee Avenue, City Hall Way, Wabera, Mama Ngina and Standard streets will be closed until the global meet ends.

Katana said only accredited people and vehicles will be allowed into KICC. He said motorists who will access the venue will be issued with ribbons of different colours to show what roads and gates they will use.

All KICC workers and the media will access the building from the junction of Harambee Avenue and Uhuru Highway.

All PSVs that drop passengers at the Kencom bus stage will be required do so along Moi Avenue as the terminus will be closed.

Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed said 4,000 Japanese delegates have confirmed attendance. Some 100 Japanese companies will also be exhibiting at the event.

The government expects about 10,000 visitors for the summit. All hotels where delegates will be staying will be guarded by police and day visits to those hotels may be interrupted. At least 67 hotels in and around Nairobi have been booked.

The Japanese government has given Kenya police 15 patrol cars to be used during and after the event.