Security beefed up at University of Nairobi ahead of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s public lecture

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi when he called on him at State House, Nairobi.

Nairobi, Kenya: Security has been tightened at the University of Nairobi where Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is expected to give a lecture Wednesday afternoon.

Renzi arrived in Kenya Tuesday evening ahead of the lecture that will happen after he meets President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House for bilateral talks.

The Italian leader will give a speech on “Challenges of development: Building bridges to combat terrorism” at Taifa Hall.

Those interested in attending the public lecture should be seated by 10am. Police have been mobilised to man the area to deter any insecurity related incident. Those walking into the university are being screened.

Italy’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni was in the country in April following the killing of 142 Garissa University College on April 2 by Al Shabaab operatives.

During his visit, Gentiloni offered 25 scholarships to the survivors of the Garissa University College attack.

He pledged Italy’s support in the war on terror saying, “My government wants to work closely with Kenyan Government to make sure terrorism is checked. We are very keen to ensure stabilization of Somalia, which is the base of Al Shabaab terror group.”

Tourism is one of the areas that Kenya and Italy are likely to be keen on strengthening ties. Italian citizens have significantly invested in coastal tourist destination, Malindi.

Renzi’s visit comes ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit on July 24 for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Pope Francis will also visit Kenya in November during his voyage to Africa.