President Obama welcomed at airport by President Uhuru Kenyatta
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 24, 2015–AF1 landed at 8:02 pm local time (1:02 pm DC time).
It was a remarkably low-key arrival — no bands, no dancers, no ceremony — as they save the big hoopla for tomorrow.
Potus disembarked in suit and tie looking refreshed. At the bottom of the stairs, a little girl in a white dress curtsied and gave him a bouquet of flowers and he hugged her. The White House identified her as Joan Wamaitha, age 8. Potus was also greeted by President Kenyatta and hugged him too. His sister Auma was also there and they shared a warm embrace.
Potus then greeted one by one about 20 people lined up along a red carpet. At the end of the carpet a wooden desk had been set up and he sat down at it to sign a guest book with President Kenyatta standing over him. Potus then got into the motorcade to depart, the whole arrival taking about 10 minutes. No words were spoken to onlookers or the media.
Beyond the red carpet several dozen yards away was a large throng of hundreds of reporters, photographers and camera people. Dozens of onlookers pressed against glass doors watching from inside the nearby terminal. A giant spotlight lit up the tarmac.
We’re now rolling to the hotel.
Greeters per the White House:
President Uhuru Kenyatta
Ambassador Robert Godec, US Ambassador to Kenya
Ambassador (Dr.) Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Major General (Retired) Joseph Nkaissery, Cabinet Secretary, Interior and Coordination of National Government
Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Defense
Dr. (Eng) Karanja Kibicho, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Mr. Jomo Gecaga, Private Secretary
General Samson Mwathethe, Chief of Defense Forces
Dr. Evans Kidero, Governor, Nairobi Country
Mr. Joseph Kinyua, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service
Honorable Justin Muturi, Speaker of the National Assembly
Ms. Auma Obama
Filed By Peter Baker
New York Times
Pool Reporter