Tight security in Washington as key US-Africa Summit opens - VIDEO

Security has been beefed up in and around Washington as the US capital prepares for the first ever US-African leaders Summit whose preliminary activities open Saturday.

A spot check by the Nation revealed that all five star hotels with presidential suites are fully booked for the week beginning August 3rd.

Regular hotels too will be in booming business as most heads of state and government will be accompanied by tens of government officials and other entrepreneurs.

City workers could be seen manicuring lawns and cleaning up the streets as business owners spruced up their premises in readiness for the African leaders. “Some of these leaders are known to be lavish spenders especially during their visits to Western capitals,” Observed Moses Kagera, a resident of Washington DC.

For four days, some major city roads will remain closed and city officials will be on hand to guide traffic. Transportation plans have been developed by a partnership of local and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies.

“Road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transportation routes and public works services will be necessary during the US – Africa Leaders Summit,” said a statement released by the State department.

Closures will be coordinated by the District Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Police Department. The closures will be staggered in implementation based on the locations of Summit Events.

DEFENDED UHURU'S INVITATION

Beginning and ending times and dates have been included with each days’ closures.

Fencing and other physical barriers will also be in place as will uniformed law enforcement officers. Vehicular traffic will be limited to law enforcement, official participants, employees and in certain locations, guests.

Most leaders are expected to be in town by Sunday afternoon. On Thursday, a senior official in the Obama aministration defended the US decision to invite President Uhuru Kenyatta who is facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC)

“On President Kenyatta, of course we’ve expressed some concerns around the ICC. Kenya has a process by which they’re working to address those concerns, and we’ve been supportive of those efforts,” said Ben Rhodes, a deputy National Security advisor in a press briefing.

“And we also have obviously a very deep and significant relationship with Kenya on not just security issues but on issues associated with trade and development. And they have been a key regional partner,” he added.

He was answering a question by an Al Jazeera journalist who sought to know why Mr Kenyatta was included in a list that saw Sudan’s president Al Bashir, who is also indicted, left out.

The official also said Mr Obama was guided by how the African Union regarded the heads of State and government in deciding who to invite.