Security has been tightened in Kwale County as preparations for the 2025 Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Road Cycling African Championships enter the final stretch.

The high-profile continental competition, scheduled for November 19–23, 2025, will draw cyclists, officials, and fans from more than 25 African nations. The championship is returning to Kenya for the second year in a row, following a successful 2024 edition held in Eldoret.

Speaking on Saturday, November 15, 2025, after a media training session for journalists from Mombasa and Kwale counties in Diani, Talent and Sports Management Chief Officer Francisca Kilonzo said the county is collaborating with multiple agencies to ensure a seamless event.

“This is a continental event, and it has been thoroughly planned. We have been holding meetings with security teams, and we have put in place affirmative measures to manage crowds and guarantee overall safety,” Kilonzo said.

Kilonzo further revealed that the county is also working closely with the Red Cross and the Department of Health to strengthen emergency response and overall public health preparedness ahead of the event. She added that Kwale is fully prepared to host the championship and assured participants and visitors of their safety throughout the tournament.

Kilonzo also revealed that key routes mapped for the races have already been upgraded, with major bumps temporarily removed to ensure smooth and uninterrupted cycling activities. She noted that several key routes will be affected during the championship, including roads in Diani, Kona Ya Musa, Red Cross area, Lofta, Swahili Beach, Kombani, Ibiza, Mvindeni, and Kwale, as well as sections of the main Mombasa–Lunga Lunga highway.

Kilonzo, however, said the roads would be temporarily closed and commuters given alternative routes to manoeuvre. She said the cycling event positions Kwale as an emerging sports tourism hub, drawing both national attention and potential investors.

“Kwale is already a world-renowned tourist destination, and this championship will give visitors a chance to explore additional investment opportunities,” she added.

Kilonzo encouraged Kwale residents to take advantage of the continental event to tap into the many business opportunities it will bring and improve their livelihoods. She emphasised that hosting an international championship of this magnitude presents a unique and transformative opportunity for the county.

Chief Advisor to the Cabinet Secretary in the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Rojas Chimega, said the week-long continental championship will feature multiple categories, including junior under-23, elite races, team time trials, and individual time trials. He noted that more than 20 countries have already confirmed their participation, with some teams having arrived in Diani ahead of the event and more expected in the coming days.

Chimega added that Kwale earned the privilege to host the championship because of its favourable conditions. “People keep asking why Kwale. It’s simple, the county has all the environmental qualities needed to host an event of this magnitude,” he said.