Why security team had to find a ‘Kenyan pope’

Just how do you protect the People's Pope? Pope Francis is a man who is well known for breaking security protocols. He often insists on ignoring his guards and breaks free to bless the poor. This raises huge security challenges.

Experts from Kenya and the Vatican have, however, come up with an ingenious solution. An elite team of Kenyan security has been in Rome rehearsing the visit so thoroughly that one of the team has even been playing the role of the pontiff.

Coast-based artist Zuber Bakhrani puts final touches to a painting of Pope Francis at his Mwembe Tayari studio ahead of the visit by the Catholic head today. The painting will be given to the Pope tomorrow during his mass at the University of Nairobi grounds. (PHOTO: GIDEON MAUNDU/ STANDARD)

A senior officer drawn from the Presidential Escort Unit was picked to mirror the movements and body language of Pope Francis. He has studied videos and even learnt to mirror his posture while delivering the homily.

The officer (whose name we can't reveal for security reasons) spent his time in Rome monitoring every movement Pope Francis is likely to make. Upon his return to Kenya, he used his knowledge to imitate the Pope at security rehearsals.

The Vatican reportedly insisted on the arrangement because it is concerned about the way ecstatic crowds try to get close to a Pope they adore.

Because the Pope is likely to want to stop the Pope mobile so that he can greet the people on the streets or to touch the sick, the "Kenyan Pope" has been practising ordering his driver to stop abruptly by the roadsides.

Nairobi head of police Japheth Koome said yesterday that they had conducted enough rehearsals and were ready to receive the pontiff.

"We will allow some people to greet him but there will also be enough security to monitor their movements. We have to ensure the safety of the Pope," said Koome.

Vatican officials say the Pope has insisted on using an open-air vehicle in some instances in Nairobi, but this remains at the discretion of the security team.

While the Kenyan team was in Rome, a Vatican unit came to Nairobi to monitor the route the Pope would be using and to check out security arrangements for themselves.

"You expect crowds to throw things. They throw flags, dolls and, obviously, babies towards him. It's difficult because we don't want our agents to overreact. The Pope doesn't want to see an overreaction, either, but you don't want to miss anything," said an official.

The Vatican team is led by Inspector General Domenico Giani, of the  Vatican police and security. It includes members of the Swiss Guard, the 500-year-old army who take an oath to protect the pontiff.

The pope mobile, the bullet proof-glassed vehicle in which the pontiff is driven around to acknowledge greetings from the crowd, is already in the country.

Last evening, authorities announced that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will experience minimal disruption during the Pope's arrival and departure times. Pope Francis moves about much more freely than his predecessors did. This poses more difficulties for the guards on duty.

Security has been boosted following intelligence reports that terror cells may try to make a point in Kenya before, during and after the visit.

According to the officials, the three countries that the Pope will visit, which have significant Catholic communities have been troubled by civil conflicts and violence, leading to increased security concerns surrounding the visit.

Apart from the 10,000 police officers, about 10,000 National Youth Service personnel will be available to beef up security.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said unlike when President Obama came to Kenya in July, they will instead invite Kenyans to line up on the roads to cheer the Pope.