Nairobi on lockdown as Obama arrives for Kenya visit

Tonny Onyulo | Special for USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Obama Making First Kenya Visit on Africa Trip President Obama is about to make his first visit as president to Kenya, the birthplace of his father, as his two-nation trip to Africa unfolds this week. It will be his first trip to Kenya since he was a U.S. senator in 2006. (July 23)

NAIROBI — Residents in this capital city were on lockdown as President Obama arrived Friday evening for a three-day visit, leaving many already chafing under tight security measures meant to reduce crime and minimize terrorist threats.

While his arrival was heavily anticipated because of his Kenyan roots, the streets were unusually quiet in this normally bustling, chaotic metropolis. No groups of young men were hanging on corners, pedestrians were absent, beggars moved elsewhere.

Because of security measures, vendors can't sell trinkets, families can't buy vegetables and residents can't withdraw cash from banks. The government has told non-essential businesses in Nairobi to close and residents to stay home until Obama leaves Sunday for Ethiopia.

"Our leaders need to be conscious and let us live a normal life. We don’t need to change anything because a visitor has come,” said Lewis Asambe, 42.

Armed U.S. Secret Service agents and more than 10,000 Kenyan security officers, including snipers, were in place near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as Obama's plane touched down Friday evening.

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and other senior government officials greeted Obama at the airport before he was whisked away in his armed motorcade toward the U.S. embassy. Obama spent the evening reuniting with his Kenyan family, including Mama Sarah Obama, 95, his step-grandmother.

Kenyatta spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the show of force demonstrates the nation is serious about battling terrorists who have pulled off daring attacks in recent years.

"This kind of high-profile visit is likely to attract cases of insecurity,” he said. “But, in stating this, I would also want to note that we are gaining ground in the war against terror.”

Tight security is always present during U.S. presidential visits. But Kenya is taking additional steps to guard against attempts by al-Shabab terrorists to disrupt the trip. The group stormed a northeastern Kenyan university in April, killing 148 people, mostly students. Two years ago, the militant group attacked Nairobi's upscale Westgate Mall, killing 67 in a four-day siege. The mall reopened only last Saturday.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Nkaissery said anyone violating the security measures risks arrest. “Any person found loitering and without identity card will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

Beggars who depend on food from business owners in the capital were forcibly evicted from city streets while vendors and hawkers were shooed away from main roads.

“I want to assure every person that Kenya is safe enough to host President Barrack Obama during his visit here,” said Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero. “The county government has taken every measure to ensure all visitors are safe and threats of a terrorist attacks dealt with.”

The security crackdown has disappointed entrepreneurs who had hoped to cash in on all the tourists flocking here to buy Obama souvenirs and other gifts. “We thought that it was about time to reap the harvest from the visit,” said John Oduor, a vendor who sells bangles.

Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, is scheduled to hold talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the terror threat plaguing the country. He will also address a Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Sarah Obama has said she wants Obama to visit the grave of his father in the western village of Kogelo. However, the president has no plans to visit that area on this trip.

Residents and business owners said the razing of make-shift kiosks and stalls by security personnel goes too far. “They should know that we need to eat even if Obama is coming,” said Pauline Nyongesa, whose vegetable stall was destroyed by law enforcement. “President Obama will not give us aid to pay rent and feed our children.”

President Obama was expected to use the main artery Uhuru highway for his motorcade to access the U.S. embassy. Even so, major arteries that connect the commercial capital are shut down, preventing commuters from carrying on with their daily routine.

Some locals were forced to return to their homes and wait until Obama leaves instead of going to work, school or running errands.

“I was heading to the capital to purchase some fruit and tomatoes but all roads are closed," said Joan Wairimu, who lives in the Eastleigh district. "I have been forced to return home and wait for President Obama to leave the country.”