Kenya Implements Vital Traffic Measures for Travelers to Navigate Major Road Closures to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport During CHAN 2025 Events

Published on August 3, 2025

With Kenya being the host destination for CHAN 2025, substantive road cut offs along circulation paths near major transport hubs such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport must be expected. The closures are expected to cause travel and airport chaos, with the closure of Langata Road designed to ensure a smooth running for the tournament at Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) in Kasarani. In reaction, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has put in place key traffic plans to facilitate movement of passengers within the city’s revised roads. These moves are an attempts to keep things moving in both corridors and offer a viable alternative route for passengers travelling to airports. By recommending alternate routes, providing live traffic alerts and encouraging early departures, KAA is helping to keep travel during the marquee event moving while allowing minimal disruption for commuters as well as flights.

Kenya is taking critical steps to manage the traffic disruptions caused by the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 events. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport, key hubs for international and domestic travel, are facing significant road closures due to the ongoing matches and related activities at the Nyayo National Stadium and Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani. With major roads being closed or diverted, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has taken vital measures to assist travelers in navigating the complex traffic situation. These steps are crucial in ensuring minimal disruptions to travelers’ journeys during the busy event period.

The CHAN 2025 tournament, one of the continent’s most prominent sporting events, has brought considerable attention to Nairobi’s infrastructure and its capacity to manage the influx of people. While the tournament provides an excellent platform for showcasing Kenyan hospitality and tourism, it has also highlighted the challenges faced by urban areas during large-scale events. The road closures resulting from this event are a necessary but disruptive part of the logistics, and KAA has acted swiftly to manage the flow of travelers to and from the two major airports in the city.

The Roads Affected by the Closures and the Consequences for Travelers

Several critical routes connecting Nairobi’s key airports to the rest of the city are being shut down or partially blocked to accommodate the ongoing CHAN activities. These closures are expected to create considerable traffic jams and may affect both private and public transport services. The main roads affected by the closures include Aerodrome Road, Lang’ata Road, and Mombasa Road. These roads are vital not only for local commuters but also for travelers flying in and out of Nairobi, making the closures even more impactful.

• Aerodrome Road: This busy road will be fully closed from Madaraka roundabout to Bunyala roundabout, cutting off direct access to JKIA for many travelers. The road is heavily used by both airport-bound traffic and commuters moving to other parts of the city. As a result, travelers will need to rely on alternative routes to avoid the traffic bottlenecks likely to occur here.
• Lang’ata Road: One lane of Lang’ata Road will be closed from Madaraka roundabout to Lusaka roundabout. This partial closure is likely to disrupt the usual flow of traffic on this vital route to Wilson Airport, where many domestic flights are handled. Commuters are advised to use alternative routes like Raila Odinga Road or Muhoho Road, which, though not free from congestion, provide detours to avoid the blocked sections.
• Mombasa Road: A section of Mombasa Road, which is one of Nairobi’s busiest highways, will be closed on one side from Lusaka roundabout to Bunyala roundabout. This closure will impact both travelers heading to JKIA and Wilson Airport. The recommended alternative routes are Limuru Road and Kiambu Road, which will help avoid the traffic jams caused by the road closure. However, even these detour roads are expected to experience some congestion due to the diversion of traffic from the affected routes.

Impact on Daily Commuting and Travel Times

For residents and tourists alike, these road closures are likely to have a substantial impact on their daily travel routines. One of the most significant effects will be the increase in travel times, as travelers attempt to navigate alternative routes that are not equipped to handle the usual volume of traffic. The detours may lead to longer commutes, especially during peak hours, when the traffic is heaviest.

In many cases, travelers are likely to find themselves spending considerably more time in transit, particularly if they are traveling during rush hours. Those heading to the airport are especially vulnerable to these delays, as even short journeys to JKIA or Wilson Airport can become longer due to congested detour routes. The increased travel time is expected to cause frustration among both local commuters and visitors, especially those with time-sensitive flights to catch.

For international travelers who are unfamiliar with the city, these closures present an additional layer of complexity. They may struggle to navigate the alternative routes effectively, adding stress to their journey. The lack of clear signage or updates on the best alternative routes could lead to further delays, potentially causing passengers to miss their flights or experience heightened anxiety.

Measures Taken by KAA to Ease the Impact on Travelers

In response to these potential challenges, KAA has implemented a series of traffic measures designed to minimize disruptions and provide travelers with clear, alternative routes to reach Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. The steps taken by KAA aim to alleviate some of the stress caused by the road closures and to ensure that travelers can reach their destinations with minimal delays.

Key Alternative Routes for Airport Travelers

The Kenya Airports Authority has provided several alternative routes to ensure that travelers can still access the airports despite the closures. These routes are designed to divert traffic away from the most heavily impacted areas and guide commuters along less congested paths.

• Southern Bypass and Likoni-Enterprise Road: Travelers who usually rely on Aerodrome Road can take the Southern Bypass or Likoni-Enterprise Road as alternative routes. These roads are expected to be less congested than the major highways and will offer a quicker route to JKIA for many travelers coming from the south and west of Nairobi.
• Raila Odinga Road and Muhoho Road: Those traveling along Lang’ata Road will find Raila Odinga Road and Muhoho Road to be the most viable alternatives. These roads will help passengers avoid the closure on Lang’ata Road and reach their destinations with relatively less hassle.
• Limuru Road and Kiambu Road: For travelers heading to Mombasa Road, Limuru Road and Kiambu Road are the primary detours. These roads will allow passengers to bypass the closure from Lusaka roundabout to Bunyala roundabout, ensuring smoother access to both airports.

KAA has also issued real-time traffic updates to assist travelers in navigating the city’s altered traffic conditions. These updates are available on KAA’s official website and social media platforms. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check these updates before heading out to ensure they are using the most efficient routes.

Timely Departures and Flight Schedule Updates

In addition to providing alternative routes, KAA is also urging travelers to plan their journeys ahead of time. Given the potential delays caused by road closures, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight’s departure time. This will help ensure that they have enough time to navigate the detours and complete all necessary airport procedures.

Travelers are encouraged to check their flight schedules in advance and stay updated on any changes that might occur due to the ongoing road closures. Flight delays are possible due to the overall impact of the closures on the flow of traffic, so passengers should ensure they leave with enough time to catch their flights without stress.

The Importance of Staying Informed: Real-Time Traffic Updates

One of the most crucial steps travelers can take to ensure they reach their flight on time is to stay informed. KAA has emphasized the importance of checking real-time traffic updates, which will be regularly posted on their official communication channels. Passengers should be aware of the current traffic situation and any changes to road closures, as the conditions could evolve throughout the day.

Through the use of KAA’s traffic advisory services, travelers can make last-minute adjustments to their routes and avoid potentially congested areas. This flexibility is essential for travelers who need to react quickly to changing road conditions.

Recommendations for Travelers to Navigate the Disruptions Effectively

• Leave Early: Travelers should plan to leave earlier than usual, as the road closures and detours will likely increase travel times. Arriving at the airport well in advance of the scheduled departure time will provide ample buffer in case of delays.
• Check for Updates: KAA’s website and social media platforms will provide real-time traffic updates. Travelers should check these sources regularly to stay informed and adjust their travel plans accordingly.
• Avoid Peak Hours: Whenever possible, passengers should avoid traveling during the busiest hours of the day, such as early mornings and late afternoons. Traffic congestion tends to be worst during these times, and by planning travel outside of peak hours, passengers can minimize delays.
• Consider Public Transport: While public transport services may also be affected by road closures, using buses or other forms of public transport may help avoid the congestion experienced on major roads.
• Use Ride-Sharing Apps: Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Bolt offer flexibility and may provide more direct routes, avoiding the worst of the traffic disruptions.

Kenya has implemented vital traffic measures to help travelers navigate major road closures around Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport during the CHAN 2025 events, ensuring smoother access and minimizing delays caused by the necessary disruptions for the tournament.

Kenya’s implementation of vital traffic measures for travelers heading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport during the CHAN 2025 events is an important step in managing the disruptions caused by road closures. By providing alternative routes, offering real-time traffic updates, and urging travelers to plan ahead, KAA is making every effort to minimize the impact of these closures on daily commuting and air travel.

Though road closures are an unavoidable part of large-scale events like CHAN, the measures taken by KAA are designed to ensure that travelers can navigate the challenges of these disruptions with minimal stress. With careful planning, timely updates, and the use of alternative routes, travelers can ensure that their journeys to the airports remain as smooth and efficient as possible, even amidst the ongoing traffic disruptions.