Stop closing highways for guests

Last Tuesday’s traffic was a nightmare as Uhuru Highway was closed for security of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I hold that no guest is worth closing highways for.

The Government exists to serve the needs of all people. Our interests come first and foremost.

There is no rationale of closing a busy highway that serves millions of Kenyans so that ‘one’ guest can be ‘secure’. With all the sophisticated surveillance equipment installed in the city, the Israeli Prime Minister could have been safely guarded without inconveniencing everyone else. The Government should put security measures and other necessary preparations ahead of a visiting envoy or head of state, to ensure smooth operations in the city.

It is a sign of neo-colonialism or hero worshipping the rich countries to subject the Kenyan citizenry to such horrible inconvenience. It is like a couple, who are the owners of a house, vacating their bedroom because an important guest has come to visit.

If the guests feel Kenya is too insecure for them and they cannot fit within our parameters of safety, then they should stay home. Do they close the highways for President Uhuru when he visits their countries?