Pope Francis' (Alitalia) plane landed at JKIA in Nairobi some 8 minutes ago (around 4:38 p.m., GMT+3). Plane's flying two flags -- Kenya's and, I suppose, the Vatican's. Pope exits the plane, whose main door opened several minutes ago, at 4:50 p.m. Greeted with ululations. A Catholic choir sings choice songs of greetings, all in Swahili. President Uhuru Kenyatta, First Lady Margaret, Catholic Church leaders and selected dignitaries are all there to meet and welcome His Holiness. There's little visible pomp for this Pope.
As the entourage 'flows' away from the plane and, I suppose, toward the exit, the Pope takes time to bless the airport crowd, and to soak in some traditional dancing. There's no lingering around, is what I'm seeing, as the dignified flow soon leaves the open spaces and into the built (5:05 p.m.).
Then everyone -- Pope, President (First Lady),Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Nuns, Diplomats, Politicians (who revel in bolidiks 24/7), Singers, Dancers and the adoring wananchi -- 'splits' in various directions, just as their transport arrangements dictate. And then the airport do is all over (5:15 p.m.), but for residual TV images.
Soon attention pivots toward Mombasa Road, which 'passes the baton' to Uhuru Highway at Nyayo Stadium, which then just glances by downtown Nairobi (this city with many tales to tell) to places beyond. The Pope's next stop is State House.
This post ends at 5:45 p.m., with the Pope already at State House.
PS: I've been watching the Pope's arrival from home (via KTN), if you wanted to know.
READ/SEE MORE:
1. NBCNews "All Systems GO: Africa Ready to Host Pope Francis"
2. The Telegraph: Pope Francis in Pictures: The 30 best photos from his first year in office
3. Google: Images of Pope Francis Visit to US
4. BBC News: Pope Francis Celebrates Brazil Mass in Copacabana Beach
