You’re welcome again, Kangemi residents tell visiting Pope

As the early morning breeze beat the faces of Kenyans lined the streets of Kangemi, others sat in the warmth of St Joseph The Worker Church warming their vocal cords in anticipation of a historic visitor.

On either side of the road leading to the church, eager residents were kept off the tarmac by sparse human shields of National Youth Service officers. They had left their homes before the sun rose and secured spots as early as 5am, eager to catch a glimpse of the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.

“Hapa tutamuona vizuri lakini hatuwezi mkimbilia (we can see him from here but we can’t get closer),” said one hopeful resident. She however seemed content that she would witness a historic moment of the Pope’s first visit to a church in Africa that happened to be in her neighbourhood.

In the church, hymns filled the air for another three or so hours. As the hours wore on, the seats were occupied and the streets filled up, all telling signs that Pope Francis’ arrival was imminent.

Security was adequate for the already orderly crowds and the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police and the National Youth Service were in their strategic positions.

Officers on horseback were on their guard to the delight of children who had come to witness history.

“Askari polisi, nikuje unibebe kidogo?” one of the children, about six years old, challenged the officer who then afforded a smile, remaining non-committal on the request for a horse ride.

There were two types of people here; some came to feed their curiosity while others came to fulfill their sense of duty as Catholics.

Margaret Wambui runs a grocery in the slum village of Kangemi. She left her house before sunrise to witness the arrival of the much awaited guest.

“We love visitors not only in Kangemi but also in Kenya and Africa because they bring blessings. He should feel at home and come often,” she said.

“I hope that Papa Francis will pray for vices like corruption, land grabbing and theft that are not only in Kangemi but in other parts of the country,” Wambui said.

Close to 8:30am, there was some flutter in the crowd as security men and women enhanced their positions. The residents broke into song and dance clapping and waving miniature flags with welcome messages for the Pope.

The sirens from the escort cars grew louder as the procession approached. The singing intensified. Pope Francis waved at the ecstatic crowd from one vehicle. Calls of ‘Karibu Papa! Karibu Kenya’ filled the air.

And as he drew closer to the church, the anticipatory mood swelled and the tempo of the song and dance increased.

 

A praise song titled: “Asifiwe Bwana, Arogocwo Mwathani’ marked the beginning of two-hour meeting that saw the Pope learn about the Church in Kangemi, the faithful and their challenges. He also took the chance to pray for the sick and the children.

When Pope Francis took to the podium, he warned about a greed-laden lifestyle that denies children and the larger society a chance to live.

At the tail end of the meeting, Pope Francis walked towards the back of the church to salute and pray for the young believers aged seven years and below who had anxiously been waiting for the moment.

And as some diligently stood still and received comforting words and prayer, others were crying, probably overwhelmed by the activity; some children could hardly comprehend the magnanimity of the individual who took an interest in them, praying over each head for a few seconds.

One day, they would understand that they had been part of a generation who had met Pope Francis on his maiden visit to Kenya.