Five major roads leading to city centre to be closed for papal Mass

At least five major roads leading to the city centre will be closed tomorrow ahead of the Mass by Pope Francis in Nairobi.

The public will, however, be allowed to move freely within Nairobi.

To avoid inconveniencing passengers, all public service vehicles using Jogoo, Lang’ata, Ngong, Thika and Ojijo roads will access the city centre through specific routes.

Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome said yesterday all matatus from Ngong and Lang’ata would use Bunyala Road and enter the Railways stage through Landhies Road.

Vehicles entering the city through the Globe interchange will have free access through River Road, Kirinyaga Road, Tom Mboya Street and Moi Avenue.

However, vehicles from Moi Avenue and Globe roundabout will not be allowed past Lilian Towers. They will be diverted to Koinange Street to enter the city centre.

The Haile Selassie-Moi Avenue junction will be closed, but matatus will be allowed to access the railways terminus.

ROADS TO BE CLOSED

Roads that will be affected include Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Harambee Avenue and University Way.

Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome yesterday advised the public to park their vehicles outside the city centre, take commuter trains or walk.

“We expect up to a million people to attend the mass hence the need to block motorists. Members of the public will however be allowed to walk to the venue,” he said.

Mombasa Road through Uhuru Highway to State House will only be blocked this evening to facilitate the movement of President Kenyatta, who will receive the Pope at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, then go back to State House.

“There will only be slight interruption during movement between State House and JKIA,” he said.

MASS TO BE OPENED TO PUBLIC EARLY MORNING

On Thursday, the venue of the Mass will be opened to the public as early as 4.30am.

Mr Koome said Uhuru Highway would be blocked from Bunyala Road roundabout to Museum Hill overpass to allow the Mass take place at the University of Nairobi grounds.

The Mass is expected to take two hours.

Motorists will be allowed to move freely to either Upper Hill or towards Industrial Area.

“The roundabout will not be completely sealed to allow those who may not have known how to manoeuvre their way to other parts of the city,” he said.

Motorists can drive up to Don Bosco Catholic Church and Upper Hill School for parking.

They can also park at St George’s Primary School on Dennis Pritt Road and near the NHIF.

Motorists approaching from Westlands will only be allowed up to the Slip Road to Museum and can proceed to Ojijo or Forest roads.

Motorists from the same direction can park their vehicles at St Mark’s Church, Aga Khan Secondary School and St Austins Academy.

People driving to the city centre will be diverted at Museum through Globe roundabout without interruption.

Motorists from Thika Road and Forest Road will only be allowed up to the gate of Museum but can use the overpass to either Westlands or Kileleshwa.

Drivers using Mombasa Road will be allowed to park their vehicles at the Syokimau Railway Station, Imara Daima Railway Station, Highway Secondary School, Capital Centre and South C Police Pavillion.