Kenyans watch the live broadcast of Pope's arrival from the streets

One of the most highly anticipated visits (apart from the US President Barrack Obama’s) finally happened when an Alitalia plane opened its doors at exactly 4:50 pm at the JKIA yesterday.

Pope Francis was colourfully welcomed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and First lady Margaret Kenyatta amongst other Kenyan leaders and catholic faithful who were ecstatic to have the head of The Roman Catholic Church in Kenya.

The Pope was ushered in true African style by a band of traditional dancers who sang songs to welcome him as he waved in appreciation at the audience who had graciously received him at the airport.

Meanwhile the anxiety and excitement about the Pope’s maiden visit in Africa was clearly attested at Nairobi’s Mfangano Street yesterday.

Majority of the people who could not make it to the airport or wait to go home to watch the live broadcast of his arriva,l opted to watch from the streets instead.

At around 5:45 pm, Mfangano Street was crowded with passers-by craning their necks to watch the entire broadcast via the giant TV screen at Tusky’s building, oblivious of the hooting vehicles.

This screen is visible to all the people approaching or leaving the famous Nairobi Bus station. It’s also visible from the Afya Centre building and its environs.

The Pope’s visit marks Kenya as the first country in Africa to host the Pope since he rose to Papacy 2013.