By Michelle Ndaga
Nairobi residents were left fuming on Friday after authorities closed the busy Thika Superhighway from as early as 6 a.m. ahead of the Harambee Stars’ African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 quarterfinal match against Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium,later in the evening.
The match, scheduled for 5 p.m., prompted police to restrict access to the key highway in a bid to manage traffic and bolster security.
However, the decision to enforce the closure nearly 11 hours before kickoff paralyzed movement across the city, trapping thousands of commuters in gridlock.
Frustrated motorists and passengers turned to social media to vent, accusing the government of “poor planning” and “disregard for ordinary Kenyans’ daily routines.”
Many lamented being stranded for hours, with some missing work, school, and critical appointments.
“This was unnecessary. You don’t close a major highway the whole day for a match. It shows a lack of planning and concern for citizens,” one commuter wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Transport analysts also criticized the move, warning that such blanket restrictions on weekdays hurt productivity and cast doubt on Kenya’s readiness to host major international events smoothly.
While police defended the decision as a precaution to ensure order and security, critics said authorities should have explored alternative crowd-control measures, such as phased closures closer to match time or enhanced deployment of officers.
The gridlock has since fueled renewed calls for better coordination between security agencies, sports organizers, and transport authorities, with many Kenyans demanding accountability for what they termed a preventable disruption.
