Nairobi gets 'Obamacare' ahead of US president's visit

Nairobi

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."