Interior Ministry alters KICC’s Climate Summit access protocol after Raila’s entrance
At 8:50am on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga arrived at the ongoing Africa Climate Summit being held at the Kenyatta International Convention Center.
He was warmly received by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the African Union’s Chairman, Moussa Faki who were at hand to receive several heads of African countries to the venue.
Following their brief greetings and a photo op, Raila Odinga proceeded up the lengthy stairs meant for use by Presidents to head to the Summit, leaving DP Gachagua and Mr Faki behind. It is believed Raila arrived at the Summit ahead of the Heads of State Session that was set to take place within minutes of his arrival.
Hours later around 11am, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement, immediately changing the protocols for accessing the KICC for the Africa Climate Summit 2023.
“Following a routine review of the security arrangements for the ongoing Summit, the security, protocol and accreditation sub-committee wishes to inform the distinguished delegates about the following changes to the protocols for accessing the venue…” began Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
The new access to the Tsavo, Aberdares and Lenana ballrooms will now be granted to accredited delegates who have access to Tsavo.
All other delegates will now access the venue via the entrance along Parliament Road while local and foreign Principal Secretaries and Diplomatic Corps will access KICC via Harambee Avenue.
“All presidential motorcades will access the venue through the entrance along City Hall Way. The changes take effect immediately and the delegates and their entourages are advised to take note and faithfully adhere to the new protocols to avoid unnecessary delays, inconveniences and jam-ups at the entrances,” added PS Omollo.
The Climate Summit’s theme for this year is ‘Driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world’. It began yesterday and is set to end tomorrow, Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
DP Gachagua’s receiving Raila Odinga became a viral moment in Kenya considering the Deputy President is often quoted spewing vitriol against Mr Odinga, the second runners up in the 2022 presidential election. The differences between the Kenya Kwanza government and the opposition boiled over into opposition led protests against the government and several reported tribal clashes between Rift Valley and Nyanza regions. Currently, the two political factions are attempting to resolve issues via talks being handled by a freshly appointed bipartisan committee.
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