Vatican security inspects venues of papal visit

Nairobi Roads Executive Mohamed Abdullahi (right) and Regional Co-ordinator Njoroge Ndirangu inspect a road leading to St Joseph's The Worker Catholic Parish in Kangemi, yesterday. [PHOTO: WILBERFORCE OKWIRI/STANDARD]

An advance security team from the Vatican has inspected sites that Pope Francis will visit during his three-day tour of Kenya.

And a fortnight to the pontiff's arrival in Nairobi, the first stop of his first African tour, preparations have peaked at the St Joseph's The Worker Catholic Parish in Kangemi, one of the areas earmarked for the papal visit.

Sources indicated the Vatican security officials, who arrived in Nairobi on Monday, inspected the special altar the Pope will use during a public mass at the University of Nairobi grounds, other sites and hotels where the papal delegation will spend.

Officials aware of the team's trip said they were so far happy with the preparations.

A special team from the Presidential Escort Unit will team up with the Pope's guards to secure the Head of the Catholic Church.

LINING UP

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said unlike when President Obama came to Kenya in July, they would invite Kenyans to line up on the roads to cheer the Pope.

"Unlike what happened when President Obama came to Kenya in July and we closed major roads in the city, when the Pope arrives, we will call on Kenyans to come to the roads to see and welcome him. No business will be closed apart from some areas," said Boinnet.

At the church in Kangemi, the smell of fresh paint hanged heavy in the air, and workers were scattered all over the compound scrubbing walls and mopping floors to give a new touch to the institution deep in Kangemi slums.

"We want to ensure everything is ready and neat by the time the Holy Father gets here," says Father Pascal Mwijage, who is in charge of the parish. On November 27, 1,200 people drawn from different slums will converge at the church to dine and celebrate with the Pope before he leaves the country.

"The people who will meet the pope already have their official invitation letters. Sitting will be random and there is no special arrangement. Even dignitaries who will come should be prepared to sit anywhere depending on when they arrive," said Peter Magu, chairman of Catholic men and member of the local organising committee planning the Pope's visit.

At the altar where the pontiff will address the congregation, a painting of the Pope is draped on the wall near the lectern, and contrasts with the otherwise bare walls that mash up to somehow tell the simplicity of the entire building.

"We are not doing elaborate decorations. We do not want to dwell on the sideshows and forget the purpose of the Pope's visit in Kangemi. He is coming to meet slum dwellers – it is as simple as that," says Magu.

When The Standard visited Kangemi yesterday, Nairobi Roads Executive Mohamed Abdullahi was leading a team of engineers to inspect a road leading to the church.

Even though gravel had been put on the road to prevent it from getting muddy and slippery, the minister noted more needed to be done to ensure it was smooth for the popemobile navigate through the slum.

"There is still a lot of work to be done, and my team is here to assess the roads and work out ways in which it can be improved. We expect everything to be ready by this weekend," said Mr Abdullahi.