Obama arrives in Kisumu amidst the tightest security never witnessed before.

 Former US President Barack Obama.He has arrived in Kisumu City amidst the tightest security never witnessed before-Photo Courtesy.

By Dickson Odhiambo

  

July 16, 2018

Obama arrives in Kisumu amidst the tightest security never witnessed before.

FORMER US President Barack Obama has arrived in Kisumu City this morning amidst the tightest security never witnessed in the Lake side City.

The plane carrying the former US President touched down at the Kisumu International Airport exactly 8:05 am.

Immediately he arrived, Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed him and within a span of ten minutes, the former US President’s convoy sneaked out of the Airport being led by the Nyanza Regional Police Boss Leornard Katana.

Before the convoy got out of the airport, Kisumu Governor’s Convoy dashed out immediately first heading to Alego Kogello area in Siaya County where Obama is expected to spend most of today in a private function for the family.

Contrary to the expectation that the former US President will travel to Alego Kogello by a chopper, he instead travelled by road which was cleared and no motor vehicle was spotted on the Kisumu –Busia Road operating as he leaved the Airport.

Some few members of the public mostly taxi operators at the Airport whom the media interviewed said they are happy that Obama has made a comeback as he promised during his 2015 visit as the then US President but have been disappointed that he has not have time to address them at the airport.

Sam Odhiambo, a taxi operator at the Airport says: “We are happy that Obama has made a comeback to Kenya and particularly Kisumu as he promised when he visited Kenya in 2015 but there is not large crowd to welcome him at the airport because of the security restrictions,”.

Kisumu International Airport was a no-go zone for Members of the Public who wanted to have a glimpse on the Former United States President Barack Obama who arrived in Kisumu on his way to Alego Kogello where he has roots.

As this was happening, Police were literally ‘planted’ both inside and outside the Kisumu International Airport which remained out of bounds to members of the public as Obama arrived with his entourage en route to Alego Kogello in Siaya County where he went to officiate the opening of a center for the youth known as Sauti Kuu.

Police lined up right from Kicomi area up to inside the Airport and they were ensuring that no security breach at all.

Near the Airport’s main entrance, Members of the public were kept at bay as a contingent of police comprising of the regular, Administration and the dreaded General Service Unit Police were there to man the security both in and outside the airport. 

There was a thorough security check at the main gate of Kisumu International Airport where even the Journalists who arrived to give updates did not gain access to where the Former US President landed but were seen taking photos from a distance.

Obama is expected to be back in Kisumu by this evening where he will aboard his plane to South Africa where he will give lectures before departing to US.

ENDS: