Nothing left to chance in bid to secure the ‘people’s Pope’

NAIROBI: The Head of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis comes across as a simple and down to earth man. Ironically, preparing a security arrangement for him is proving a complicated affair.

Unlike other high profile dignitaries who move around in efficient and state-of-art modes of transport, Pope Francis is said to shun even a chopper. It is reported that the Vatican has communicated to the Kenyan officials that the Pope has refused to use a chopper while in Kenya and has opted to move around by road.

Kenyan officials working on his security arrangement are starring at a security nightmare as they plan for his three-day peace tour into the country that starts on November 25.

“This is a man who wants to be free. He is meeting an enthusiastic and crazy crowd that may jump the line just to touch him. Again you don’t want to anger him. This would be a nightmare but we are ready,” said a senior officer involved in the planning of the visit.

Challenges aside, top security officials are working round the clock to ensure one of the most revered global religious leader in the world is safe as he visits Kenya.

“Some routes will be closed and we urge for cooperation from motorists,” said Nairobi police boss Japheth Koome. The police boss was speaking yesterday when he met top commanders to assess progress on the security arrangements signalling nothing will be left to chance.

And to demonstrate how important the whole exercise is, President Uhuru Kenyatta inspected the University of Nairobi grounds where the pope is expected to hold a public mass on Thursday. Earlier, a team led by Director of Operations at police headquarters Benson Kibue visited Kangemi, Kasarani and Lavington to assess situation.

A team of security officials from the Vatican also arrived Nairobi to inspect preparations ahead of the much awaited visit.