Nairobi ready for Africa Climate Summit, says PS Raymond Omollo

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo. [John Muia, Standard]

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has said that Nairobi is ready to host the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week 2023, which will take place from September 4 to 8 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

In a statement on Saturday, September 9, Omollo said that the government has concluded all the necessary preparations for the event, which will attract Heads of State and dignitaries from various countries across the globe.

"All security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants," he said.

"A multi-agency security team of about 4,000 officers has been deployed to secure the venue of the event and provide the delegates with the required logistical support before, during and after the Summit," he added.

He added that the security team comprises personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the General Service Unit (GSU), General Duty Police Officers as well as the National Youth Service (NYS).

Specialized units have also been deployed at strategic locations to provide technical security support during this period.

Omollo said that the security protocols and logistics were subjected to a full simulation test on Saturday, which featured a dry-run of the arrival of dignitaries at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), movement to Nairobi CBD, activities at the main venue, emergency responses, as well as the general flow of traffic and crowd control measures.

He also said that Nairobi City has been zoned for ease of security management, with Harambee Avenue, Parliament Road, City Hall Way, and Taifa Road and the adjacent buildings marked "Red".

"Members of the public working within this zone will be required to produce their employee badges and official identification documents at the police barriers," he said.

"Police officers and marshals will be available to provide direction on the movement and flow of people and vehicles into and out of the city. Those who wish to carry on with their daily activities in areas outside the 'Red' are free to do so, and cooperate with security officers should they be asked to."

He further said that registration for the event has already been closed, and all participants are advised to collect their badges from the Nairobi City County Offices, Charter Hall.

The Africa Climate Summit 2023 is a high-level event that aims to mobilize political will and resources for climate action in Africa.