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Kenya lockdown as Obama comes to talk security, trade

– ICC shadow –

Excitement has been building in Kenya for weeks, with the visit painted as a major boost for the country’s position as an African hub — something that has taken a battering in recent years due to Shebab attacks and political violence that landed Kenyan leaders in the International Criminal Court.

“I need not tell you how eagerly we have all waited for the day, or how keen we all are to make it the most memorable of homecomings,” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta told reporters this week.

“It’s a vote of confidence for our city and our country,” Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero also told AFP.

He has overseen a clean-up campaign in Nairobi, including the filling of potholes, sweeping of streets, the repainting of faded road markings and laying new pavements on once muddy sidewalks.

Obama is celebrated as a hero throughout the country, yet many Kenyans have been disappointed it has taken him until almost the end of his second term in office to make the trip.

A presidential visit to Kenya had been put on ice while Kenyatta faced charges of crimes against humanity for his role in 2007-2008 post-election violence. The ICC has since dropped the case, citing a lack of evidence and accusing Kenya of bribing or intimidating witnesses.

Kenyatta, however, has signalled that his controversial Deputy President William Ruto — who is still on trial at the ICC and is outspokenly homophobic, describing gays as “dirty” — would be present when government officials meet Obama.

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