Major roads closed in Nairobi for diabetes walk

Five major roads in Nairobi will remain closed for several hours on Saturday morning for the Diabetes Walk 2018.

A notice from the traffic police said the roads will be closed from 6am till noon.

Also Read: Drinking two sweetened drinks per day? You could be doubling your risk of diabetes

“All motorists have been urged to follow directions given by Traffic Police Officers and any other signage on the roads and to exercise utmost care and courtesy,” the notice reads.

Kenya Railways also issued a statement urging those who want to get to the Nairobi Terminus to use the commuter link train.

Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki is among thousands of Kenyans who are taking part in the annual walk that was flagged off from the Carnivore Grounds.

The list of roads closed includes:

• Uhuru Highway
• Langa’ata Road
• Mombasa Road
• Haile Selassie
• Hospital Road

According to the World Health Organization, the country is facing a burden of rising cases of diabetes.

“Once seen as a disease of affluent societies, diabetes has become a growing problem in developing countries—an increase driven largely by a rise in obesity,” WHO says.

Also Read: Obesity leading cause of high blood pressure, diabetes

The Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre (DMI) holds the walk annually to help raise funds for economically disadvantaged children to get free insulin.

According to the DMI website, an annual charity golf tournament held in February also helps raise awareness and provides opportunity for free screening.