1st LD Writethru: U.S. president jets in Kenya for visit

U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Kenya on Friday evening to begin a three-day visit to Kenya amid tight security mounted by both local and American security agencies.

A jovial Obama was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi by his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta and senior government officials from both the two countries.

The security forces had been patrolling JKIA, one of the busiest airports in East and Central Africa, and the capital had also been put on a virtual lockdown ahead of Obama's first visit to the country as president.

Heavily armed security officers manned the airport main entrance as they scan and screen incoming vehicles and passengers being dropped at the airport for various destinations.

Some police officers were deployed in locations near key lush hotels and premises where the elite squad, Recce, could be seen working with the traffic police to direct traffic to those hotels.

"We are under firm instructions to ensure that all delegates attending the summit are well guarded round the clock. We are not taking any chances," one of the security officers told Xinhua.

The officer, who declined to be named, said heavy security is always mounted during U.S. presidential visits, not only in Kenya. Nairobi has deployed 10,000 police officers to provide security and some key roads were closed except for emergency and security vehicles.

"We are only taking additional measures because of the increased attacks by Al-Shabaab from Somalia whom we suspect may plan to disrupt the trip," he added.

The streets of Nairobi have been painted and polished as the city has spared no expense to welcome Obama, "their son", for what Kenyans have called his "homecoming."

Several U.S. security officers jetted in the country weeks ahead of the arrival of Obama, and some plush hotels are being guarded by the secret service.

The civil aviation authorities had announced that national airspace would be closed for over 40 minutes for both arrival and departure.

Obama is in Kenya for the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), the first such meeting to be held in sub-Saharan Africa. Obama, as co-host, will address the gathering on Saturday.

Officials from both Kenya and U.S. said the visit by Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, is important in deepening the two countries' bilateral relations.

During his visit, issues expected to dominate the talks will be guided by the four pillars of the 2012 U.S. strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa.

These include strengthening democratic institutions, boosting economic growth, trade and investment, and advancing peace and security, etc.

The two leaders are expected to discuss security issues, especially concerning the East African region, which borders Somalia and is facing an increased terror threat. Enditem