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Villa Rosa Kempinski has assured guests of their safety following the completion of the Nairobi Expressway which passes near and overlooks the five-star hotel.
There have been concerns that the proximity of the 27-kilometer elevated highway poses security threats to the 200-room hotel that often hosts VVIP guests including presidents and international celebrities.
But the hotel’s management has played down these fears, stating that the safety and privacy of its clients are still intact as the rooms, including a presidential suite, are located far from the road and noise.
Vila Rosa Kempinski Sales Director Judy Matengo also noted that the speed limit on the expressway makes it hard for any motorist or person to stop or slow down enough to pose any potential threat. She disclosed that the facility will be erecting a bulletproof glass barrier to the swimming pool that faces the road.
“The rooms are far and not very close to the road. The only thing close is the swimming which is open and we have started taking security measures and we are going to have bulletproof (glass) there… We respect our guests’ privacy,” she said as quoted by Nation.
“The expressway works to our advantage. It takes 12 minutes from the airport compared to 45 minutes or one hour due to traffic jam. It’s even safer without the buses and trailers and parking boys snatching phones from guests,” Matengo added.
Ahead of the later former president Mwai kibaki’s burial on April 28th, the hotel’s presidential suite and the mini presidential suite were fully booked. Before that, the facility had hosted a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo that was in the country to sign the East Africa Community treaty.
Nation reports that the hotel’s presidential suite costs $15000 (Sh1.72 million), including bed and breakfast.
On Sunday, President Kenyatta announced the expressway will be opened to motorists on a trial basis on May 14th. The Sh88 billion expressway has 11 interchanges at Mlolongo, Standard Gauge Railway, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass, Capital Centre, Haile Selassie Avenue, Museum Hill, Westlands, and James Gichuru Road.