Police forced to temporarily remove Thika Road blockade after outcry ahead of CHAN matches
The National Police Service was forced to temporarily remove the roadblocks on the Thika Superhighway after outpouring rage and outcry over early total closure of the busy highway on a working day hours before the CHAN quarter finals match.
According to complaints raised by netizens, the closure happened early, affecting them, and adding that it is a working day.
“Why should they close the road this early when the game is at 5 pm? The traffic is so bad,” social media user Celestine Ndinda stated.
“Why would someone close Thika Superhighway on a very busy working day, affecting thousands of taxpayers going to work because of football? What kind of reasoning is that?” another user questioned.
Yesterday evening, the National Police Service (NPS) issued a notice to Kenyans using the Thika Superhighway of traffic disruptions to be expected today before the quarter finals match at the Kasarani stadium.
The traffic plan shared by NPS directed motorists from Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) heading to Thika Road through Ruiru, Juja, and Thika will be diverted to Kiambu Road at Exit 4, with a roadblock placed at Muthaiga.
Vehicles using the highway to access Mwiki will be rerouted through Ruaka-Baba Ndogo-Lucky Summer-Nairobi River-Mwiki.
Traffic from Thika, Juja, and Ruiru heading to the CBD will be diverted through the Northern Bypass or Kiambu Road, with a roadblock set up at Ruiru Interchange.
On the other hand, motorists from Githurai to the city centre will be directed through Githurai 44 to Kiambu Road.
Fans without vehicle access passes driving from Nairobi CBD to Moi International Sports Centre will be required to use the service lanes at Exit 7 and Exit 8 to access Kasarani.
“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. Additional police officers have been deployed and will take stern action against anyone violating traffic rules,” NPS announced in the statement.
