Barack Obama, former-president of the United States, arrived in Kenya on Sunday. His arrival was a quiet affair with little pomp and ceremony. He is in Kenya on private business and this is not a State event. Standard Digital, Kenya, reported that his plane touched down in Nairobi at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 1 PM. Unlike previous visits when he arrived as a head of state, there were not high-profile groups to meet him and make speeches. He was met by Monica Juma from Foreign Affairs, the US Ambassador, and a few other executives.
The streets were quiet with no waving flags and photos of the famous man. Standard said that he was with his "sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and her family, and Obama Foundation staff members."
Obama later met some high profile leaders and journalists were kept at a distance
Barack did not have a great deal of fanfare over his arrival but he did get to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta in a courtesy call. Later, at the Kempinski Hotel, he met the leader of the ODM, Raila Odinga. The Standard noted that security at the hotel was quite tight with journalists being kept at a distance. This was in line with the arrival at the airport, where journalists could not get close to Obama.
There was little disruption as he moved around, with only a slight traffic delay as he departed for State House from the airport.
There were around 15 vehicles in the convoy.
Barack Obama is there for the launch of his half-sister's NGO
Africa CGTN reported that Obama is visiting Kenya, the ancestral home of his dad, to "attend the launch of Sauti Kuu, his half-sister Auma Obama’s NGO for youth empowerment, in Kogelo, Siaya County (Western Kenya) on Monday.
Dr. Auma Obama has been very involved in ‘Sport for Social Change,’ according to the website of the Auma Obama Foundation. Barack Obama will be at the launch of a new basketball court. Additionally, he will be looking at the new community centre workshops and buildings.
Former-president Obama will be going to South Africa next
Former-president Obama will fly to South Africa after he is finished in Kenya. According to eNCA, he is to be a key figure at the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations. International Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated on July 18th. Barack is expected to give a speech and there will be plenty of accolades for the now deceased South African hero. Nelson Mandela passed away in his old age in December 2013. Then-President Obama also attended the memorial for Mandela and gave a moving tribute.