• A multi-agency team comprising KDF and regular and traffic police units is tasked to secure KICC, the primary venue for the three-day summit, and the surrounding areas.
• Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei said police had designated several roads within Nairobi CBD as red zones reserved for delegates.
Image: CYRUS OMBATI
Kenya Defence Forces’ Rangers Strike Force Unit has been deployed to augment the General Service Unit-led security cordon around Kenyatta International Convention Centre ahead of the Africa Climate Summit.
The multi-agency team supported by regular and traffic police units is tasked to secure KICC, the primary venue for the three-day summit, and the surrounding areas, and coordinate seamless movement.
As at Saturday afternoon, the roads around KICC were cordoned off by armed security who were patrolling around the designated areas to ensure things are in order.
President William Ruto will open the global conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Monday, September 4.
The event which will run until September 6 brings together over 30,000 leaders and investors from Africa and beyond. Among them will be over 25 heads of state and government.
Authorities have taken measures to secure a 2km perimeter Red Zone encircling KICC, Office of the President, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheria House, Jogoo House and Supreme Court ahead of the summit.
The elite KDF team joined the specialised police unit, GSU and was deployed along a 2km perimeter entailing a Red Zone around the KICC.
Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei said police had designated several roads within Nairobi CBD as red zones reserved for Africa Climate Summit delegates.
The roads affected by the closure include Harambee Avenue from Parliament roundabout to Taifa Road junction, Taifa Road from Harambee Avenue junction to City Hall Way junction, City Hallway junction from Holy Family Basilica roundabout to Taifa Road junction, and Parliament Road from Harambee Avenue roundabout to the City Hallway roundabout.
Bungei said the cordon seeks to facilitate smooth movement for the delegates during the conference.
Parking spaces earmarked for the function are the Sunken parking near KenyaRe, Supreme Court, Holy Family Basilica and Charter Hall.
All these will be closed for public use according to security planners. Bungei advised motorists to plan accordingly.
He called on motorists to avoid inconvenience by using alternative routes which include the Eastern bypass, Wangari Maathai Road, Outer ring Road as well as the Southern bypass.
The police listed Valley Road, Lusaka Road, Haile Selassie Avenue and University Way as alternative routes for accessing the Central Business District.
The summit aims to champion a green growth agenda and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.
Among top dignitaries who have confirmed attendance at the summit is UN secretary general António Guterres.
The conference has created a huge business opportunity for hotels, with 58 designated to accommodate VIPs, delegates and participants.
Majority of the hotels are situated along key routes such as Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way and Limuru Road. This may also affect traffic on the mentioned roads.
Some delegates will be hosted in hotels along Thika Road and Ngong Road with these two busy roads also mapped for temporary traffic hitches.