Diani hosts the continent as road closed for Road Cycling Africa Championships

Eritrean riders warm up ahead of the junior men’s Individual Time Trial race at the 19th CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Diani on Thursday. PHOTO – CAC LOC MEDIA

Diani, Thursday, November 20, 2025

Residents of Diani in Kwale County braved road closures to welcome the continent for 19th edition of the CAC Road Cycling African Cycling Championship that rode off on Thursday morning from outside Diani’s Absa Bank branch. 

With the Kenyan Coast hosting the competition being held for the second straight years after the Eldoret edition last year, the championships will bring the Diani town and its environs into a standstill as they watch African top cyclists battle for the crown and the winner’s white and pink jackets.

Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde noted that some roads will be closed during competition time in the four days to allow the championships to run smoothly and ensure the safety of riders.

 “I want to assure you that we are going to participate in all ways to ensure that the event is successful. Security is paramount and important to us, whether you are participating as a cyclist or support staff, we are assuring you of your security,” said Orinde.

Among the roads affected by the closure are the Likoni–Lungalunga Road, Kwale–Kombani, Kona ya Beach–Absa stretch, and Lotfa–Mvindeni Roads.

“We have had security meetings and want to thank event organizers both from Nairobi and Kwale County as well as CAC officials that your security will be well taken care of.

“Kwale is very large county, well known for hosting international events and I want you to be aware that this is the month of December we shall also be hosting the East Africa Classic Safari Rally,” he added.

Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani said both the County and the National Government have put up measures to ensure that the competition does not hit a snag, calling upon the security apparatus in the county to be on the lookout to quell any security threat posed to the competition.

“Kwale is ready. We have put everything in place to ensure that this championship runs smoothly and safely. This is a major opportunity for our county to showcase its potential to the rest of Africa. I take this opportunity to welcome everyone to this historic competition in Kwale,” Achani said.

Mauritius rider Tristan Hardy speaks with journalists after winning the junior men’s Individual Time Trial race at the 19th CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Diani on Thursday. PHOTO – CAC LOC MEDIA

The four-day competition that started on Thursday will involves junior and elite riders who are covering several laps on a circuit starting at the ABSA-Mvindeni-Red Cross-Kona ya Beach roads.

On Saturday morning, there will be a fun run with families and individuals free to cover the course on social bicycles while on Sunday, the elite cyclists will take a lap along the Absa-Mvindeni-Red cross and Kona ya Beach Road, before heading to Kwale County Headquarters, which will be the finishing point for the road races.

“As we mark this important event in the County, I urge everyone to turn up with their families for the event as we shall not only have the competition but also a fun day,” Achani urged.