Why Benjamin Netanyahu skipped Galana Kulalu tour despite heavy security

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inspects a guard of honour at State House Nairobi on July 5 during his visit to Kenya. (Photo: AFP)

The elaborate security during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit may have been the reason he did not tour the expansive Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme in Tana River.

Netanyahu was scheduled to visit the project on Tuesday after State House meeting, but the tour was put off. 

Police had indicated that Lang'ata Road would be closed as the PM drove to Wilson Airport to take his flight. That did not happen, and no explanation was given on the change of plan.

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa toured the project last Sunday ahead of the PM's visit. The Sh7 billion project is using the latest technology and expertise from the Israeli government.

Speaking after his tour, the CS termed the project "one of the centre-pieces of engagement in Jerusalem".

"Netanyahu's visit is set to expand the bilateral support and roll out the project to other regions," Wamalwa said.

Prior to Netanyahu's arrival, a number of Israel's Shin Bet security service special agents had landed weeks earlier, posing as businessmen and tourists. They inspected bedrooms and kitchens in hotels where Netanyahu and his delegation would spend.

The Shin Bet security service is one of the three principal organisations of the Israeli Intelligence Community, alongside Aman (Military Intelligence) and Mossad that deals with foreign intelligence service. It is also known as Shabak's, whose duties are to safeguard state security, expose terrorist rings, interrogate terror suspects and provide intelligence for counter terrorism operations.

They also do counter espionage, personal protection of senior public officials, securing important infrastructure and government buildings and safeguarding Israeli airlines and overseas embassies.

When Netanyahu landed, the Shin Bet took over alongside the Kenya's General Service Unit's Recce Squad. Israel usually trains the Recce teams.

At the airport, the agents denied journalists entry to where Netanyahu's plane was landing, unlike the case during President Obama and Pope Francis's visits. And whereas he had been scheduled to land at 10pm on Monday, he landed at midnight amid claims the plane had made an intentional landing at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania.

From the airport, Netanyahu was driven aboard a Renault armoured car to his hotel in Westlands.

The Shin Bet agents' work came to the fore at State House when Netanyahu was inspecting a guard of honour. They ran ahead of him, despite him inspecting the parade mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces.

They also randomly checked journalists, questioning them. Unlike Obama who had arrived with his planes, Netanyahu did not come with any.

Security was mounted on major roads, which were blocked for his motorcade to pass, causing a major traffic jam. A Kenya police chopper hovered over the city whenever the PM was on the move. Roads were cleared for his slim motorcade to pass.

This caused an uproar because police had not warned motorists early enough of the intended closure of roads.

Netanyahu later apologised for inconveniencing motorists in Nairobi. He said he had been informed there was a traffic problem in the city.

"Now I have to tell you I don't understand. We are driving through Nairobi and there is no traffic problem. Nonetheless, I am sorry for any inconvenience," he said on Tuesday evening.

When the motorcade left for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport the following morning as Netanyahu headed for Rwanda, major roads were closed for more than 30 minutes.