Robert Godec: Keep off Karasani if you're not invited
What you need to know:
The US Embassy Protocol Section on Friday set up several booths to issue tickets to the invited guests who were listed in alphabetical order.
The Protocol Office had earlier sent out invites to specific persons and asked for the to confirm attendance.
Only those who had confirmed attendance were issued with the tickets.
Kenyans will on Sunday watch US President Barack Obama’s address on TV live from the Safaricom Indoor Arena at Kasarani.
Organisers of the event on Friday ruled out attendance by wananchi, saying only invited guests will be allowed in the venue.
On Friday, the guests received their tickets to the arena from 9am to 5pm. Only those with tickets will be allowed in.
The arena can accommodate 5,000 people.
DISCOURAGE PEOPLE
“While we want this event to be attended by a wide range of Kenyan society, attendance is by invitation only, and we discourage people from coming to the venue if they are not explicitly invited,” said the US Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Robert Godec.
The US Embassy Protocol Section on Friday set up several booths to issue tickets to the invited guests who were listed in alphabetical order.
The Protocol Office had earlier sent out invites to specific persons and asked for the to confirm attendance.
Only those who had confirmed attendance were issued with the tickets.
SECURITY CHECKS
The guests have been alerted of the high security checks and have asked to carry with them their identification documents alongside entry tickets.
All attendees will undergo security checks similar to what is carried out at airports.
Guests will enter the sports centre through Gate 12, which will open at 7am on Sunday. Doors to the indoor arena, where the event will take place, will open at 8.30am.
Invited guests have been advised to bring as few personal items as possible.
Bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids or signs will not be allowed into the arena.
INSPECTION ON
They are, however, permitted to carry small cameras, snacks such as groundnuts and chocolate bars.
Officers from President Obama’s personal security have been inspecting the venue since early this week alongside Kenyan security officers.
Mr Godec has asked those who have not received invitations to stay away from the stadium as much as possible.
“The speech will be broadcast live across the country on both radio and television to ensure that every Kenyan that wishes to listen to the President’s remarks is able to do so,” he said.
