Expect disruption of normal life between Friday and Sunday, IG Boinett warns

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet urged for cooperation from the public as police will struggle to ensure the visitors are in a conducive environment.

“The security arrangements put in place for the Summit will affect normal life in some parts of the city and we therefore call on the public to cooperate with the police to give the event and our visitors a conducive and homely environment,” said Boinnet.

He said major roads that have already been announced and others that have not been mentioned will be closed to enable the safe passage of the delegates attending the Sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

A section of Mombasa Road. The road will be closed from 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon as part of the security arrangements ahead of President Obama's visit. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Boinnet however said he cannot advise parents to tell their children to stay away from schools and companies to close because of the event.

“The US president will arrive in the evening on Friday and I don’t see why a parent can let his or her child to stay at home in as much as there will be disruption of traffic on some routes,” he said.

Boinnet who was addressing the press in his office said they respect the visit of President Obama. He said all security arrangements had been put in place.

“We call upon all Kenyans to extend our traditional warm hospitality towards President Obama and his delegation as well as all visitors attending the Summit.”

Kenyan and American flags have already been raised on major roads in Nairobi ahead of the visit. The routes include Uhuru Highway, Harambee Avenue, Mombasa Road, State House Road, Harambee Avenue, Waiyaki Way, Limuru Road, Thika Road and UN Avenue. These are the most likely routes that will be heavily affected.

More than 10,000 security personnel will be deployed on the city streets to ensure there is safety.

Boinnet said he was not aware there was disruption of flights from and to Somalia ahead of the summit. For the Americans, the region is viewed as insecure owing to the Al Shabaab attacks in the past hence the heavy security.