Jomo Kenyatta International Airport puts its best foot forward to receive the world's most powerful man

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was already abuzz with activity yesterday, hours to the touchdown of Air Force One- the official American aircraft carrying US President Barack Obama.

Although there was minimal disruption to normal services including flight scheduling, it could not be lost on visitors that the country was putting its best foot forward ahead of the visit by the world’s most powerful man.

Traditional dancers from various counties were singing and dancing as early as 11a.m. directly opposite the main international arrivals gate as visitors, some of them delegates heading to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, streamed out of the airport and started their journey to the city centre.

In the cool Nairobi weather, Keieleelo Ziwani Women’s Group in brightly coloured costumes swayed their torsos and stamped their feet, temporarily attracting the attention of the arriving guests.

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“We get here at 6a.m. and leave at 6p.m.,” said Nyiva Ndulu, a member of the group. “We are paid between Sh500-Sh1,000 per day when we are invited to functions. We don’t know how much we shall be paid today though.”

For them, and anyone else entering the airport, to get to the international arrivals berth, they had to go through three main barriers. These includes the newly built one, where all vehicles are stopped and all passengers ordered to disembark and a thorough search conducted on the vehicle, before it is allowed to proceed with its journey.

JKIA is also teeming with police officers, both uniformed and ununiformed.

A security agent told The Standard that security at the airport was at an all-time high with patrols, even on the runway, intensified. And every day, four American helicopters leave the airport for routine surveillance. The officer said the helicopters have teams from both Kenya and the US on board. But despite the heightened vigilance, most police officers on the ground were easygoing and cordial, offering a helping hand to anyone in need.

Arrivals were yet to be affected and more than 12 international flights were expected to arrive at JKIA on time.

Delegates to the GES were were directed to the ‘Choose Kenya’ shuttle buses by stewards dressed in GES branded wear.

One of the stewards told The Standard they had received 300 delegates since Wednesday and that they expected about 200 more by last night.

By 1p.m. yesterday, Nairobi County employees were still busy scrubbing dirt and stains off the pavements at the airport.

As some scrubbed animatedly, others were on standby, just in case an annoying stain stayed put on the now immaculate walkways.

As the cleaning continued, amused bus passengers peeked out the windows, perhaps wondering why there was such an army of cleaners.

That was yesterday. Today though promises even more surprises. It is expected that with the hours winding down to president Obama’s arrival, security will be taken a notch higher. And of course there will be less air traffic.

A statement from Kenya’s national carrier Kenya Airways reads: “Following the visit by the President of the United States Barack Obama to Kenya on 24th to 26th July 2015, the Kenyan Airspace will be closed few hours on each of those days. 24th July: closure 7:45pm–8:35pm. 26th July: closure 5:05pm–5:45pm.”

Vehicular traffic will also be disrupted on the routes that will be used by Obama’s motorcade.