NAIROBI, Kenya, July 24 (UPI) — Nairobi, Kenya, is deserted as security measures have tightened on Friday and the city of three million people awaits the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama is traveling to Ethiopia and Kenya this weekend, where he will deliver an address to the global entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi and speak at a suburban Nairobi soccer stadium. Although Kenyans were disappointed he would not visit his ancestral hometown of Kogelo, anticipation is high.
Billboards throughout Nairobi offer welcomes, and some businesses have changed their names in his honor. Otherwise the city seems desolate because of tight security measures. Over 10,000 police officers have been deployed in Nairobi this weekend, and residents are chafing under new restrictions to minimize security and terrorist concerns; ATMs are closed, vendors offering goods from vegetables to Obama souvenirs are off the streets and all non-essential businesses are closed.
Nairobi County Police Chief Benson Kibue has urged residents to cooperate with security officials and claims life in the city will be business as usual during Obama’s visit.
“There is nothing that will be unique arising from the visit of President Obama. Nairobi will not stand still in terms of business, everything will run as usual and Kenyans will be proud to host President Obama here in Nairobi city,” he said.
The city’s business district was deserted Friday, traffic problems were negligible and major roads were scheduled to be closed later in the afternoon.
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