The FIFA World Cup original trophy landed in Nairobi on Monday morning for its scheduled two-day tour in Kenya and public viewing at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
This is the third time that the trophy is touring Nairobi having landed previously in 2010 and 2013 where enthusiasts were allowed to take pictures at a distance with the trophy.
Hosting the treasured trophy, however, may see Kenya incur an estimated cost of Sh4 Million to cater for the logistics of guarding the cup going by a 2010 report that quoted a similar figure was spent to secure the Sh1 Billion treasure.
[caption caption="The FIFA World Cup Trophy lands at JKIA Nairobi"]
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The cup that measures 36 centimeter-tall was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rashid Achesa, CS Margaret Kobia (Youth) and Najib Balala (Tourism).
In 2013, the round the clock security was provided by an elaborate security team comprising of police and staff drawn from the security firm G4S.
During the visit, the World Cup trophy was stored at Safari Park Hotel and was presented for public viewing at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.
The trophy's international tour comes shortly before the commencing of the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosted in Russia in June and President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to receive it at State House, Nairobi.
Previous incidences of the trophy theft in 1966 and 1983 led to heightened security measures during the tours.
Only Presidents and heads of states are allowed to touch the coveted trophy that is set to tour 51 countries and six continents in 2018.
[caption caption="CSs Balala and Rashid receiving the trophy"]
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The 18-karat gold trophy is displayed in a glass casing when outside its display cabinet at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich.
