Police announce 6 AM Thika Road closures for CHAN finals

A section of Thika Road. [File, Standard]

Traffic on Thika Road will be disrupted for the better part of Saturday, August 30, as Kenya hosts the final match of the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament.

The face-off pitting Morocco against Madagascar will be played at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, with the kick-off scheduled for 6 PM.

In a statement, the police confirmed closures of various sections of Thika Road and urged motorists to use alternative routes or suggested diversions to get to their destinations.

"Motorists from Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) heading to Thika Road (Ruiru/Juja/Thika) should use Kiambu Road at Exit 4; there will be a roadblock at Muthaiga," read part of the statement.

"Vehicles from Thika, Juja, and Ruiru heading to Nairobi CBD should use Northern Bypass or Kiambu Road; there will be a roadblock at Ruiru Interchange," it further stated.

Meanwhile, those intending to get to the CBD from Githurai have been advised to get to Githurai 44, from where they can then join Kiambu Road before proceeding to the city centre.

Vehicle headed to Mwiki, on the other hand, will be diverted to Ruaka, then to Baba Ndogo before getting to Lucky Summer, Nairobi River, and finally to Mwiki.

Road exits near Kasarani Stadium will be a preserve of vehicles with access passes. Without these passes, motorists coming from the CBD will be expected to use the service lane at exits 7 and 8.

"The National Police Service continues to work collaboratively with relevant agencies and urges all motorists to cooperate with officers on-site to ensure smooth traffic flow," said the police.

They warned: "Additional police officers have been deployed and will take stern action against anyone violating traffic rules."

Should the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 80 per cent cap on capacity of the stadium remain, up to forty-eight thousand football fans will be allowed in the facility, which carries sixty thousand people at full capacity.

Artists including Savara (Kenya), Zuchu (Tanzania), and Eddy Kenzo (Uganda) are expected to headline music performances before a fireworks show.

Reports also indicate that FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe will likely be in attendance.

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga may also be present as curtains fall on the continental thriller.