A red carpet, tight security and a tall white pillar monument ushered the Kenyan delegation to the White House, domiciled at Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC.
The White House has been known as the “President’s Palace” the “President’s House,” and the “Executive Mansion” at various times in history.
The Secret Service unit was on standby to ensure whoever passed into the White House had the requisite accreditation.
Everyone was required to remove all his or her items from their respective bags and put them aside.
Dogs were then deployed to inspect the items by sniffing to ensure unwanted items were off the precincts.
But that was not the first check.
The next stop was a gate that ushers one to the White House.
Everyone wearing a belt was required to remove it and together with their electronic gadgets present them for screening.
Everyone was also required to go through a metal detector screening.
Their movement inside was also monitored closely by Secret Service unit officers.
An aura of friendliness punctuating the White House building saw members of the Kenyan delegation rush to get pictures of themselves, at least to serve as a reminder in future of the rare opportunity they got in their lifetime to be at the 'President's Palace'.
The session was however shortlived as the orderlies swung into action to urge the delegation members to proceed to their destination.
"You will have an opportunity to take pictures tomorrow. We only have 4 mins," one of them said.
The White House is a humongousbuilding with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence.
There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
The White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d’oeuvres to more than 1,000.
The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.
