Nairobi motorists, take note! If you are planning to travel across the capital this Sunday, 27 September, you will need to adjust your route early.

The Southern Bypass will be completely shut down to motorized traffic from midnight (00:00) until 1:00 PM (13:00) to host the 6th edition of the Jubilee Live Free Race. The closure affects the entire highway stretch from the Ole Sereni / Mombasa Road junction all the way to Kikuyu.

Whether you are heading out for Sunday worship, visiting family, or catching a flight, here is what both event organizers and traffic commanders say you need to know.

Organizer & Police Joint Advisory

Announcing the milestone event and the highway closure, Peter Kibe, Group Marketing and Corporate Communication Manager at Jubilee Group, explained that the new route and venue were chosen specifically to handle growing participant numbers:

“We have a new venue at Uhuru Gardens to accommodate the growing number of participants and create a holistic experience for everyone who is participating in the race. The Southern Bypass is our new route, which will be bigger to take care of more traffic, more participants, and more cyclists. Registration closed at over 2,300 cyclists, showing incredible enthusiasm across Kenya.”

Addressing the safety and road traffic arrangements, Superintendent of Police Bossmack Kungu, Nairobi Area Traffic Commander, confirmed full police deployment along the closed stretch:

“Mine is to assure all the participants taking part in this cycling event on Sunday that we are ready. On Sunday starting at 00:00 hours to 13:00 hours, we shall be closing the Southern Bypass, stretching from Mombasa Road around the Ole Sereni area all the way to Kikuyu. We advise motorists and other road users to strictly use the alternative routes provided.”

Quick Commuter Breakdown: Affected Arteries & Alternative Routes

Mombasa Road Heading to Kikuyu / Nakuru: Motorists intending to join the Southern Bypass from Mombasa Road will be diverted along Mombasa Road → Uhuru Highway → Chiromo Road / Waiyaki Way → Nairobi-Kisumu Road toward Kikuyu.
Nakuru / Kikuyu Side Heading to Mombasa Road: Drivers coming from Kikuyu must avoid the Southern Bypass entry and proceed via Nairobi-Kisumu Road → Waiyaki Way / Chiromo Road → Uhuru Highway → Mombasa Road.
Lang’ata Road (CBD & Galleria): Motorists traveling along Lang’ata Road from either town or Galleria must not enter or access the Southern Bypass on either ramp.
Ngong Road & Karen Corridor: For commuters traveling along Ngong Road from Karen toward the CBD, only one lane will be closed for cyclist safety. Drivers coming from Kikuyu intending to join Ngong Road can move freely, but the Southern Bypass intersection connecting Kikuyu to Ole Sereni remains blocked.
Feeder Road Warning: Superintendent Kungu strongly urged local estate residents not to attempt joining the Southern Bypass from feeder roads.

Categories, 20 km Family Loop, and UCI Aspirations

Beyond traffic management, Sunday’s event features race categories for all fitness levels, including the Main Race, Black Mamba, Paracyclists, Under-18/Endurance, Family Fun Ride, and Kiddies.

Family Fun Loop (20 km): Starts at Uhuru Gardens → rides down to the Inland Container Depot (ICD) U-turn → ascends the Southern Bypass to the National Housing Corporation (NHC) turn → returns to Uhuru Gardens.
Kiddies Race: A dedicated 2 km fun course for under-fives inside Uhuru Gardens.
International Vision: Peter Kibe noted that Jubilee is building toward UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) standards so Kenyan riders can earn international ranking points locally.

Spectator Access & Race Village

While cyclist entries are closed, spectator registration remains open for KES 500. Registered cyclists can collect their race kits and hydration bottles at Uhuru Gardens on Saturday, 26 September.

The Uhuru Gardens Race Village will feature live music by Mejja and Okello Max, partner brand activations, face painting, bouncy castles, and wellness showcases.

NAIROBI, IT’S ON!