Tight security in Nairobi as Kenya welcomes US leader to the land of his father

US President Barack Obama (L) signs a guestbook alongside Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta upon arrival on Air Force One at Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, July 24, 2015. Obama arrived in Africa on a five-day tour with stops in his father's homeland of Kenya, before traveling to Ethiopia. [AFP PHOTO]

 

There was tension and expectation in the air at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport hours before the arrival of US President Barack Obama.

 

It was easy to tell that something extraordinary was about to happen. Kenyan security personnel and secret service agents were positioned at strategic positions within the airport compound.

The usual crowds of people that usually mill around the airport’s arrival terminals were absent, perhaps due to the earlier cancellation of flights.

JKIA was a tightly controlled area. Security personnel patrolled most areas of the airport, right from the passenger terminals to the designated areas for journalists. At about 1.30 pm, this writer encountered about 15 of the agents strolling towards Terminal One, holding what appeared sophisticated communication equipment.

This was more than six hours before Obama’s expected arrival time, and their presence was the most potent sign that the world’s most powerful man was no ordinary President.

At the international arrivals section, local police units kept vigil. The trend was similar at the terminal two departures and vehicle parking sections.

Centre of attention

From the huge number of police vehicles parked at strategic sections of the airport, it was a demonstration of power.

Passengers stood in small groups, conversing in low tones. Judging from the atmosphere, this was no ordinary day. In one fell swoop, the JKIA had been turned into the centre of attention for both locals and foreigners.

At the arrival terminal, groups of passengers waiting for their loved ones to arrive sat quietly as the colourful troupes of dancing men and women belted out songs in anticipation of Obama’s arrival. A group of catholic nuns and priests also stood quietly taking pictures.

Everytime one eavesdropped, the byword was the same. Obama.

At the nearby Paul’s café, passengers sipped coffee, most aware that in a few hours time,  the most powerful men in the world be arriving.

At one table, a group sat quietly, chatting in what sounded like Italian or French. Although it was not possible to decipher what they were saying , the name Obama would crop up occasionally.

It was the clearest demonstration that the US President expected presence was being felt by all and sundry.

Two German passengers, Andy Hofmann and Doreen Fischer, also sat quietly at the Pau’s café waiting for their orders.

The two had arrived from Amsterdam via Munich on a visit to the International Potato Centre in Nairobi. They were aware that Obama was coming to Kenya and had timed their flight perfectly to avoid traffic inconveniences.

“Even when he comes to Europe, there is tension in the air. It is not only in Kenya where this happens. But we are happy that Nairobi is now more colourful. It is very nice to look at the Kenyan and American flags fluttering in the wind,” said Doreen, the more talkative of the two.

Andy was more concerned about the alleged eavesdropping of Americans on private conversations for security reasons.

“Everywhere Obama goes, everything comes to a standstill. Even in Germany, you can know that there is something extraordinary when Obama is around,” he said.

Traffic in Nairobi flowed smoothly yesterday morning with little congestion into the Central Business District ahead of a lock-down in the city in the afternoon.

The streets were fairly empty as most people chose to stay indoors to avoid transport hustles when roads closed a few hours before Obama’s visit.

Tight security

Tight security was evident around the city, with armed police patrolling different areas throughout the day. Heavy police presence was especially noticed around Kempinski Villa Rosa Hotel in Westlands, where a truck load of officers had been stationed.

Hawkers were not left behind as Nairobi residents waited for the arrival of their visitor. They took to the streets with Obama-inspired merchandise, which they sold to motorists and other road users.

Street clean up was ongoing in a race against time to finish the beautification programme.

Roads such as Waiyaki Way and the Thika Superhighway were cleaned as portions of Mombasa Road were still being painted.

At the Thika Superhighway, motorists were subjected to a road check near Kenyatta University where President Barack Obama is scheduled to address students on Sunday.