Starting this Saturday, November 10, a section of Nairobi County’s Ngong Road will be closed to vehicular traffic starting on Saturday to enhance security and motorised transport during this year’s Safari Sevens that begins this Friday at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa grounds.
This will be in order to allow for efficient movement during the Safari Sevens tournament, which will be held at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa Grounds (RFUEA) during the weekend.
Kenya Rugby Union, through a notice sent to newsrooms, made it clear that the section of Ngong Road between Makindi and Ole Dume roads will be closed temporarily (from 8 am to 10 pm).
“We hereby notify the public of a temporary road closure on the section of Ngong Road between Makindi and Ole Dume roads from 8 am to 10 pm on Saturday 10th November and Sunday 11th November for the Safari 7s, being held at the RFUEA Grounds,” read part of the notice.
Inbound traffic to the CBD will be diverted to Makindi Road, while outbound traffic will be diverted to Joseph Kangethe Road.
KRU has advised the public to seek alternative routes to avoid any inconveniences.
Godwin Karuga, the tournament director explained how fans and guests will enter and exit RFUEA grounds.
“The area between Telkom and Impala Club will be left for fans on foot and emergency services. No parking will be allowed at these areas. VIP guests will use the gate next to Alpha Fit Gym while suppliers will use the upper gate of the arena,” said Karuga as seen on a local news site.
However, Karuga said fans riding on Pewin and Little cabs to RFUEA grounds will be allowed through the security check up to Telkom. “There is road construction going on along Ngong Road and we want minimal interruption to flow of traffic,” said Karuga.
Karuga said they had good support from the government on security and Kenya Police will deploy officers from different branches of the service pre and post event.
“Kenya Police Service shall be supplemented by security personal from Senaca International Security, who will provide round the clock security during the three days event.”
Regular tickets for today are on sale at Sh 500 while advance tickets are retailing at Sh 1,200 per day (Saturday and Sunday). VIP advance tickets are going for Sh 2,500 per day while regular seasoned tickets are retailing at Sh 2,000 and VIP Sh 4,500.
Ticket at the gate will cost Sh 1,500 daily (regular) and Sh 500 for children.
Plans to have shuttle buses for fans have been shelved.
The Safari Sevens is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Nairobi Kenya . The Safari Sevens is open to international representative sides, professional and amateur clubs, invitational teams, university and school teams.