President Obama arrives in Kenya with Nairobi in security lockdown
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US President Barack Obama has arrived in Kenya.
Landing in the country where his father was born he was met by his half-sister Auma and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Obama with his half-sister Auma Obama as he arrives at Kenya. #ObamaReturns#ObamaHomecoming@POTUSpic.twitter.com/xJ5iXBvYHD
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) July 24, 2015Security and trade will be high on the agenda with the president vowing to deliver a “blunt message” to African governments on gay rights and discrimination.
The hectic schedule means Obama is unable to visit his ancestral village of Kogelo.
To compensate Mama Sarah Obama, his step-grandmother, flew to Nairobi to meet her relative.
Obama meets with extended family on first night in Nairobi http://t.co/VVViEhuPLW | Getty pic.twitter.com/JM5IdkJBfr
— POLITICO (@politico) July 24, 2015His late father looms over Obama’s trip to Kenya | The Seattle Times http://t.co/b8MCEiEe35pic.twitter.com/6TMAaZX4sp
— TRENDING KENYA (@TRENDINGKENYA) July 20, 2015The capital is in lockdown with
armed US agents supplemented by 10,000 Kenyan security officers, including snipers, deployed across the city.
@BarackObama security team in #Nairobi earlier today. #Obama
Nairobi streets largely deserted pic.twitter.com/jIfv2W7lbD
— Samuel Ouga - NV (@Ougasam) July 24, 2015Many view the visit with a sense of euphoria.
However, not everyone is happy.
Vendors have been forced off the streets with markets and banks closed.
Non-essential businesses have been told to shut up shop until Obama leaves for Ethiopia on Sunday.