‘Obamacare’: Nairobi gets makeover for US president’s visit

NAIROBI (AFP) — In Kenya, they've dubbed it 'Obamacare': potholes filled, new pavements and overnight flower beds, as Nairobi is spruced up for the capital's most awaited visitor, US President Barack Obama.

For the past month, hundreds of people have been employed to tidy the main highway from the airport to the city centre, often resulting in major traffic jams due to the road repairs.

''If traffic is bad now with this 'Obamacare', imagine what it will be when he actually comes,'' said taxi driver John Kemboi, his engine switched off as he waited in stationary traffic, bad even for the notoriously slow roads of the capital Nairobi.

''And won't Obama simply take a helicopter anyway?'' he added, laughing at workers repainting faded road markings and laying new pavements on once muddy sidewalks.

Those working -- sweeping the streets, cleaning the litter -- are paid 400 shillings (around four dollars, 3.5 euros) a day.

''They are doing maintenance works like weeding, grass cutting,'' said city council official Leah Oyake.

''It is not enough, but we have nothing else to do,'' said 19-year old Jeremiah Wekesa, grumbling at his salary, but adding he is excited at the visit. ''I am happy, it is good that Obama is coming. He's a Kenyan and it has been a long time.''

Obama's visit next weekend will be his fourth to Africa since becoming US president, but his first to Kenya, his father's birthplace, since taking office in 2009.

But while celebrated as a hero throughout the country, many Kenyans have been disappointed it has taken him until almost the end of his second term in office to make the trip.

A presidential visit to Kenya had been put on ice while President Uhuru Kenyatta faced charges of crimes against humanity for his role in 2007-2008 postelection violence.