Nairobi — At least to 4,000 security officers have been deployed to secure the Kenyatta International law Convention Centre, the primary venue of the Africa Climate Summit set to begin Monday, with the expected arrival of foreign leaders.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said Saturday that the multi-agency security team will secure the venue and its environs.
The team will also provide delegates with the required logistical support before, during and after the Summit.
The team comprises personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the General Service Unit (GSU), General Duty Police Officers as well as the National Youth
Service (NYS).
"Specialized units have also been deployed at strategic locations to provide technical security support during this period, " Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said.
To test the preparation for the global event, the security protocols and logistics were on Saturday subjected to a full simulation test which featured a dry-run of the arrival of dignitaries at the JKIA and movement to Nairobi CBD.
The simulation also involved activities at the main venue, emergency responses, as well as the general flow of traffic and crowd control measures.
Omollo added that the Nairobi City has been zoned for ease of security management, with Harambee Avenue, Parliament Road, City Hall Way, and Taifa Road and the adjacent buildings marked as red zones.
Police checkpoints
He said members of the public working within the 2km red zone will be required to produce their employee badges and official identification documents at police checkpoints.
He added that police officers and marshals will be available to provide direction on the movement and flow of people and vehicles into and out of the city.
The Interior PS however stated that those who wish to carry on with their daily activities in areas outside the "Red Zone" are free to do so, and urged them to cooperate with security officers should they be asked to.
Authorities have taken extensive measures to secure the 2km perimeter Red Zone entailing KICC, Office of the President, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheria House, Jogoo House and Supreme Court ahead of the summit
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While providing, an update on the security measures in place, Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei said police had designated several roads within Nairobi CBD as red zones reserved for Africa Climate Summit delegates.
Traffic management
Bungei said the cordon which took effect on Friday seeks to facilitate smooth movement for the delegates during the conference.
"There will be some changes in terms of service delivery in our roads within the CBD.There some areas that have been marked as red zones and the most affected areas within the red zone will be Harambee Avenue, Taifa road, to include Reinsurance plaza," said Bungei.
Bungei also listed City Hall Way, Wabera Street as well Parliament Road among affected roads.
Otumbo, Pension, Parliament and Haile Selassie lanes which link the designted roads will also be closed.
Bungei 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.
