Unforgettable moments during the Obama visit

American security forces keeping watch at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before the departure of the US president Barak Obama who was in Kenya for official visit [PHOTO/MAXWELL AGWANDA/STANDARD]

The grass will grow, Mr Kidero

The President of the United States of America Barack Obama came by the cover of darkness and when time came to take off, he took to the skies after his meeting at Kenyatta University. He had no chance to see the green City in the Sun. However, our supplication are for the grass on Mombasa Road with the opening line borrowed from Jonathan Kariara’s poem, ‘Grass will grow’...Just in time for Pope Francis in November!

Pleasurable screening

The secret servicemen

and women serve a warm recipe of niceties as they request to search people and belongings; a lesson that our men in blue could borrow a leaf.The security protocol at Terminal Two for the coverage of POTUS departure has become familiar for journalists and as we pass through for inspection, the Kenya Airport Authority officials join the queue for screening too. KAA security boss Eric Kiraithe is not spared either and he devotedly complies and journalists awaiting next in line made jocular comments that leave the police boss in stitches when it’s all done because the shoe is on the other foot now. At 1.49pm, a convoy of black cars make their way at breakneck speed, which leads the way for our check-in for the security inspection that one again is as thorough and the canines also dutifully check through our bags.

The final jig that never was

At 1.20pm, traditional dancers from various dance troupes arrive and finely hone their skills for the final African jig for Obama, giving basic dance lessons to cultural tunes to some Americans and the rehearsals seem to yield rhythmic moves with the drum beats in the background drowning their laughter. Others who also gave entertainment were Huruma group dancers, Waza Africa from Dandora. Jirani Women’s group from Kibera and Ruhia dancers from Starehe. A special song titled, ‘Karibu Barack Obama’ had been composed by Chris Wekula to be performed by the National Hospital Insurance Fund choir. However, when the hour came, the rhythmic beats could only be heard in the background as President Kenyatta bid Obama bye at 4.15pm.

It is a wrap!

As we depart the airport, the American and Kenyan flags on one side have already been brought down and as we cruise through the seamless traffic on Mombasa Road, some of the peculiar Kenyan habits are slowly creeping back. Just before Cabanas, impatient pedestrians risk their lives by running across the busy road yet the pedestrian footbridge is less than 100 metres away.