Netanyahu apologizes for Nairobi traffic woes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Nairobi residents for causing major traffic gridlocks during his visit to Kenya this week.

“I understand there is a traffic problem,” he said lightheartedly at a dinner party hosted Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday. “There is this inconvenience so I apologize to the people of Kenya who will have to wait, people of Nairobi will have to wait in line.

“And I tell you that we too have waited decades for this visit. We are glad to be here,” Netanyahu added, eliciting applause from guests.

Police on Monday and Tuesday closed several major highways as Netanyahu’s motorcade drove the capital.

Disgruntled Kenayans took to Twitter using the hashtag #NetanyahuInKenya to vent frustration — some with biblical imagery — at the chaotic traffic jams that followed the prime minister throughout the city.

The Israel PM's visit to Kenya has caused lots of traffic.As opposed to making Kenyans More happy it has made them Mossad #NetanyahuInKenya

— Lav on the Fairway (@AsegoLav) July 5, 2016

#NetanyahuInKenya it takes close to 2hrs 2 get 2 town from Muthiga. No wonder it took Israelites 40yrs to Canaan @Ma3Route @ItsMainaKageni

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— Sebastian Mwanza (@SebastianMwanza) July 6, 2016

Did #Israel bring the red sea to Nairobi as well! Today's traffic is insane #NetanyahuInKenya

— Winnie Kabintie (@WinnieKabintie) July 5, 2016

Local media reported the traffic gridlocks caused by Netanyahu’s visit were the worst Nairobi had experienced during a visit from a foreign dignitary including Pope Francis and US President Barack Obama.

@Ma3Route Mr Netanyahu please go back to your country and Skype with our president I'm growing white hair in this traffic #NetanyahuInKenya

— Bobo Mwas (@bobomwas12) July 5, 2016

LoL.. Ati the traffic today ISREAL #NetanyahuInKenya ????????????

— Capt.Fredrick malu (@captmalu) July 5, 2016

i compare #NetanyahuInKenya visit to Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem only that Jesus did not cause traffic cz he used a donkey

— lapeters (@juliuspeters254) July 6, 2016

https://twitter.com/hoiipolloi/status/750225559653871616

Nairobi was the second stop on Netanyahu’s four-country visit to East Africa, which started Monday in Entebbe. On Wednesday he traveled to Rwanda before wrapping up his trip in Ethiopia on Thursday.