When President Uhuru Kenyatta does not
want to arouse public attention in the
city, he chooses to travel incognito.
Since taking over the reins of power from
his predecessor Mwai Kibaki, who had a
notoriety of leaving behind a trail of
gridlocks whenever he and his coterie
moved around the city, Uhuru on several
occasions does the opposite – concealing
his movement.
The style has even baffled traffic police
officers who are sometimes caught off
guard by the unguarded President’s
entourage.
Recently an officer was surprised when he
discovered that the motorist he had
stopped was the President himself.
The officer was part of a team mobilised
to control traffic following a signal that
Uhuru was supposed to move from State
House to one of the five star hotels for a
family meeting.
The overzealous officer was trying to stop
the approaching unmarked car that was
apparently carrying the President. The
driver attempted to stop when flagged
down then tried to drive past, but the
officer stood firm.
When the vehicle stopped, President
Uhuru rolled down the window
identifying himself before he was allowed
to proceed by the perplexed officer.
“Ni mimi ofisa, fungua (it is me officer,
allow us to go) ,” the President was heard
saying. Many police officers say they are
happy that unlike during Kibaki’s tenure,
they no longer spent many hours clearing
roads for President.


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