Luxury hotel where US First Lady spent her nights in Kenya

Villa Rosa Kempinski is one of the most luxurious hotels in Kenya. It is a five-star hotel located in Westlands, Nairobi.

The hotel has played host to a number of high-profile individuals in the past, including world leaders like former US President Barack Obama, celebrities, and business moguls. 

On Friday evening, February 24, the hotel welcomed another distinguished guest - US First Lady, Jill Biden.

Jacqueline Mahugu, a Kenyan journalist who was assigned to cover Ms Biden’s visit, described the first lady’s security as so tight, that nobody from the press team caught a glimpse of her in the hotel. 

“She was staying at Villa Rosa Kempinski, and there would be similar thorough checks every time we arrived at the hotel, surrounded by Secret Service agents, Kenyan military officers and the police. 

“Despite us starting our day from where she was staying - Kempinski, we never actually saw her on the premises or get in or leave. We were never sure which vehicle she would be in,” she recounted. 

Aside from the hotel's facilities such as the presidential suite, its recent security upgrades made it a top contender. 

In 2022, Kempinski's management announced plans to put up a bulletproof barrier on a section of the hotel facing the Nairobi Expressway.

Over the weekend, the US First Lady's convoy was also spotted along Parklands Road refuelling.

Only nine Kenyan journalists were selected to be intergrated with the First Lady's press team and were given red passes to join her motorcade. 

According to Jacqueline, they all had to undergo multiple layers of security checks before and during the first lady’s visit.

At every place Dr Biden visited throughout her tour, movements were tightly controlled, and journalists were instructed on how to conduct themselves. 

Kenya has in the past received many high-profile US government officials including presidents and their first ladies.

As has always been the case, the host government usually collaborates with US authorities to ensure safety.

The First Lady's security detail, which included members of the Secret Service works closely with Kenyan security agencies to put in place a comprehensive security plan for the visit.

The plan includes measures to secure the venues and routes that the First Lady would be visiting, as well as the surrounding areas.