by James Waindi and Vpps

Coca-Cola hosted media personalities and renowned company bosses for a breakfast at their headquarters in Hurlingham where the guests took souvenir photos with the iconic trophy.

Pamela Mutua, Coca Cola’s Regional Senior Franchise Brand Manager said it is the real trophy, setting the stage for a rendezvous with the trophy which makes its way to Nyayo National Stadium this morning for the public to view and have photos with it.

"Yes, it is the authentic, one-and-only, solid-gold Fifa World Cup trophy, which was first lifted by Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer (1974), that we are inviting fans to see during the first global show sponsored by Coca-Cola," Mutua said.

Guests were entertained to traditional, gospel and blues music as they prepared for the historic moment, thanks to a delay by Fifa officials who were caught up in a heavy traffic snarl-up along Thika Road.

The Trophy Tour started in Egypt two months ago and is expected to cover 53 African countries during a 70-day trip, where it would allow thousands of fans to enjoy a close-up view of the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka (left) with Fifa official, Hedi Hamel and, inset, Coca Cola CEO, Nathan Kalumbu, posing with World Cup Trophy at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, on Friday

The tour is set to end on December 3 in South Africa, the host country of the 2010 World Cup event.

Mutua allayed fears security would be so tight as to affect fans’ interaction with the trophy.

"While there will be a high level security to protect the World Cup, fans will not be hindered from enjoying their unique experience with this respected icon. Fans will see the trophy up close and, even have their photo taken with it," she said.

To access the trophy area, fans will be required to have free tickets, which indicate time allocation.

"The holding area at Nyayo Stadium can accommodate up to 100 people at once. They will spend 15 minutes to watch an optional 12-minute 3D movie while they take pictures. Those outside the holding area waiting for their turn would be watching the whole process on giant screens," said Mutua.

The trophy is set to leave for Kampala, Uganda at 3.30pm to continue with the tour.