Be ready for disruptions during Obama's visit, Nairobi residents told

US Ambassador Robert Godec, Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga and Mama Sarah Obama when they visited Godec at his Nairobi residence recently. [Photo: Gilbert Otieno/Standard]

Kenya: Nairobi residents have been told to expect disruptions during US President Barack Obama's visit later this month.

State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said traffic flow will be interrupted in Nairobi, but maintained that normal operations will continue at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Obama is expected to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aboard Air Force One and his entourage will later proceed to Gigiri through Mombasa Road and the city centre.

His motorcade is expected to include a bulletproof limo known as The Beast and a military ambulance.

"We will be releasing a traffic guide for the day. We know the US head of State will come with a huge motorcade which will inconvenience road users in the city, but we also want to ensure that other operations continue," said Esipisu.

President Obama will be in Nairobi from July 24-26 to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, a White House initiative that brings together entrepreneurs and investors from around the world.

The event is aimed at showcasing innovative projects, and is expected to attract considerable global attention because of its huge symbolic importance.

About 250 of the 1,500 delegates who will take part in the summit at the Nairobi UN headquarters in Gigiri are from Kenya.

About 800 local and foreign journalists have also been accredited to cover the summit and the US president's visit.

Bilateral relations

Apart from addressing the summit at the United Nations headquarters in Gigiri, his itinerary will also include a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House in Nairobi for talks on bilateral relations between Kenya and the US.

State House, however, is yet to receive his full itinerary, especially if he will travel to Kogelo in Siaya County, his father's home.

Obama will be the first sitting US President to visit Kenya, and it is also the first time GES is being held in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Last year's summit was held in Morocco and Obama was represented by Vice President Joe Biden.

Kenya is hoping to use the high profile event to market some of its top tourist destinations as it seeks to give the tourism sector, which is still reeling from the effects of terror attacks, a shot in the arm.

"The meeting is an indicator of a deep relationship between Kenya and US. It will also be a space for entrepreneurial growth and innovation. It will also boost small-scale business especially those run by the youth," said Manoah while briefing journalists at a Nairobi hotel Sunday.

There will be a side event of the GES exhibition at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre which will involve exhibitors.