Not even head of airport security was spared gruesome check

 

The stringent security measures at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) respected neither VIP nor mere mortals like journalists.

Last Friday, just before President Barack Obama touched down, the chief of airport security and once affable police spokesman Eric Kiraithe attempted to pull rank on the American security forces manning the entrance to the Gate Two terminal. What followed was something the loveable Kiraithe would not tell his grand children.

As queuing scribes were searched one after the other, Kiraithe decided to take the express lane. After all, he was in charge of Airport security. But as he approached the front of the single file line a stern voice brought him to a halt.

“Sir! Stop right there.”

“I am the head of airport security and I want to go in for duty.”

“Sir! We aint saying you won’t go in. We are saying you need to get through the security checks like the rest of the people.”

“But I am going....”

“Sir! To the back of the queue. If you want to get past us, you must get through the security searches. To the back of the queue, sir.”

The former police spokesman, humbled, gracefully walked to the back of the queue, waited his turn to go and get screened, mobile phone and other metallic objects such as coins held high.

He was not the only one though. Used to such security procedures, one member of the fourth estate walked into the screening zone and immediately removed his belt. He then walked a few steps tugging at a slightly oversize pair of sagging trousers.

“What are you doing, sir? We aren’t like that. We don’t want to see you naked brother. Keep your pants on. Belt back on sir.”

Confused and visibly embarrassed, the scribe hurriedly hooked his belt back on hurriedly. Afraid that the time he was taking to do this might cost him the all-important event of Obama’s touching down. As a result, he missed threading his belt through a few hooks.

“That’s much better sir! Now walk towards me slowly and hold out your hands for me, sir!”

But in as much as the agents were present throughout, their politeness was noticeable. All this was minus the shouting, shoving or threatening common with Kenyan security forces.