Uhuru's Secret Night visit to Nairobi's Mukuru Slums

President Uhuru Kenyatta in his vehicle
President Uhuru Kenyatta in his vehicle.

By virtue of being the Head of State, the likelihood of President Uhuru Kenyatta visiting a populated area incognito is nearly impossible due to security challenges that may arise during such a visit.

However, that did not stop Uhuru from inspecting projects without the glare of the media as he embarked on a low-profile visit to several sites in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 24.

The Standard was first to report that the Head of State made a night visit to Mukuru Slum to inspect road projects that were ongoing.

He was accompanied by Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director-General Mohammed Badi in the visit that saw him branch into Reuben Health Centre where he inspected a Maternity Ward.

Presidnet Uhuru Kenyatta, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and NMS General Mohammed Badi.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and NMS General Mohammed Badi.

President Uhuru who was unable to avoid the residents of the informal settlements, expressed interest in developing the areas as he engaged them in friendly chats, even though, they were warned by his team not to take any pictures of the tour.

At one of the clinics, he interacted with patients urging them to exercise caution due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Uhuru reportedly spent one hour in the area.

The president had earlier visited the Globe Roundabout and later went into the Michuki Memorial Park in Ngara to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation exercise of the footpaths.

The president has in the recent past, taken a closer order of the projects in the city 

On June 2, a security CCTV footage capturing the Head of State’s entourage along Kenyatta avenue was leaked. Uhuru was accompanied by AU Special Envoy Raila Odinga.

Kenyatta and Odinga were seen taking a walk along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi, and inspected the road projects initiated by NMS General Mohammed Badi. 

 

The president has made several impromptu visits to project sites. For example, in March, Uhuru made a surprise visit to Nyeri to inspect projects and a month earlier he made a surprise visit to inspect the late and former President Daniel Moi's funeral preparations at Nyayo Stadium.