Police to Close Some Roads in Nairobi Ahead of Supreme Court Ruling

A display of the Supreme court session as hearing of petition continues on August 31, 2022
A display of the Supreme Court session as hearing of petition continues on August 31, 2022
Photo
The Judiciary of Kenya

UPDATE: The National Police Service (NPS) listed three roads that will be closed on Monday, August 5 ahead of the Supreme Court ruling on the Presidential petition.

In a statement, the service disclosed that the closure will take place two hours before the time given out by Supreme Court.

Ngong road will be closed at the junction of Ngong Road 1s Avenue (opposite NHIF). No motorists will be allowed to access CBD through Kenyatta Avenue via Cathedral Road but instead they are advised to use Haile Selassie Avenue.

Cathedral Road/Milimani Ngong Road which accesses Milimani Law Courts will be closed at Kenyatta Avenue/ Valley road Junction (NSSF). Only vehicles heading to the court will be allowed. All other motorists are advised to use Valley Road.

Cathedral road/Haile Selassie Avenue junction will be closed and Motorists are advised to use alternative route of Haile Selassie/Ngong Road.


A number of roads leading to the Supreme Court will be closed on Monday, August 5, as the country awaits the much-anticipated determination of the Presidential petition filed by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In a statement dated Saturday, September 3, Acting Inspector General Noor Gabow noted that the move was necessary to ensure that peace is maintained countrywide.

He further barred the public from accessing the Supreme Court where the decision is expected to be delivered by the seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

The hearings happened at the Milimani Law Courts located along Ngong' Road and accessed through Upper Hill Close Road and several surrounding pathways.

The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi as pictured on November 18, 2019
The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi as pictured on November 18, 2019
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

"We wish to advice the general public to avoid gathering at the Supreme Court during the Ruling, or congregating in public gatherings, but follow the proceedings from the comfort of their homes.

"Access to the Supreme Court shall be limited to the public, and all roads leading to the court premises shall remain closed. Traffic police officers shall be deployed adequately to direct traffic around the Court facility," read the statement in part.

Gabow further assured the public of peace whichever way the decision goes - whether the judges will uphold the decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) or quash it.

He further explained that security personnel have been distributed across the country to ensure that calm is restored in all corners of Kenya.

The NPS, therefore, asked Kenyans not to travel from their current residencies over fear of chaos.

"We therefore take this opportunity to appeal to Kenyans to remain calm and peaceful. We further assure all Kenyans and the general public of their enhanced personal security and that of their property including loved ones.

"As the National Police Service, we have taken all the necessary steps and measures to enhance security in all parts of the country, including all critical infrastructure. The public should not therefore panic and migrate from their homes or ordinary places of residence in fear and anticipation of chaos," continued the statement.

After a series of hearing, the seven-judge bench proceeded to an undisclosed location to make their deliberations before the final ruling.

On Friday, which was the last day of hearings, Koome assured that the ruling would be delivered by Monday with specific time of the event yet to be communicated.

Raila sued President-elect William Ruto as well as IEBC demanding to be declared President-elect or have the results nullified.

Noor Gabow
A photo of Noor Gabow, Deuty Inspector General of Police during a past address.
DCI_Kenya/Twitter