Pope arrives to an exciting ‘Kenyan style’ welcome

Nicholas Nzioki, one of the dancers who entertained Pope Francis at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), broke down overcome by the significance of the moment.

Seeing the Pope at close range was beyond the wildest dreams of the 26-year-old devout Catholic from Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Kalimoni Parish in Thika.

For Nzioki, a jua kali artisan in Thika town, life has been about modest ambitions. It was his first time at JKIA, and for it to be on a day the Pope was stepping on Kenyan soil, it will be immortalised in his memory.

"I have never been to any airport and all my life I have never seen a plane at close range yet, today I am here as part of the welcome party, to sing and dance for the Pope," said Nzioki as tears rolled down his cheeks.

His was a story of seeing heaven close to him, a great opportunity, he said, of getting blessings at first hand from the Holy Father. "I will never forget this till I die," said Nzioki.

Coming after Nzioki's Kiswahili singing choir was the Agikuyu Dance Troupe from the Holy Family Basilica singing "Atemerwo bara bara" a Kikuyu song whose lyrics in translation means "make way".

"I am so happy and excited to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis because he is the best pope I have known," said Nancy Wambui from Asumption of Mary Catholic Church in Umoja, Nairobi.

The local Catholic Church had organised the dance troupes to represent ethnic tribes in the country. The other two were Luo and Maasai dancers. "I am very delighted to be here today and I know for sure that I shall remain blessed all my life," said Gabriel Leitato from Namunyakwa Narusura Parish representing the Maasai Dancers.

Veronica Atieno who was with the Luo Dance Troupe said so important was the moment that the group got "Owalo" (Luo traditional dancing skirts made of sisal) from Nyanza just to look the part.

Away from the song and dance, the Presidential Pavilion was a beehive of activity all afternoon. As the clock ticked, more dignitaries and senior members of the Catholic clergy walked in through the rigorous security arrangement.

At the runway, the red carpet was rolled out; two different airplane access lifts were driven to the landing area alongside fire engines and ambulances on standby.

At around 4.15pm, the bishops started lining up close to the red carpet. All the Catholic bishops in Kenya were on location except the four archbishops plus the cardinal who remained at the VIP bay waiting for President Uhuru Kenyatta's arrival.

When the Pope's plane, Shepherd One, touched down, a slight confusion ensued. A push and pull on matters protocol got the Apostolic Nuncio and a team of Government officials moving up and down in search of vantage positions.

For about five minutes, Bishop Alfred Kipkoech arap Rotich, Big Ted Kwaka, Kenya Airports Authority Chief of Security Eric Kiraithe and Director of Digital Communication in the Office of the President Dennis Itumbi could be seen deliberating probably on the exact location to stand as Shepherd One slowed down.

Just before Francis came out of the plane, President Kenyatta, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta accompanied by top Government officials took their positions next to the plane's access lift.

As expected, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo and a female chief protocol officer from the Foreign Affairs ministry went into the plane and less than two minutes later, the Pope came out waving to the crowd.

Right behind the pontiff was Alberto Gasbarri, the administrative and technical director of Vatican Radio, the person in charge of organising the apostolic trips.

For a moment, it looked like one big reunion for Pope Francis and John Cardinal Njue as they embraced.

After the greetings, Uhuru's motorcade left the venue followed by the papal party.

As the papal motorcade left the airport, large crowds gathered along Mombasa road to get a glimpse of the Pope.