NAIROBI, Feb. 26 -- The World Cup trophy arrived in Nairobi on Monday and was received by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House.
Local football fans will have the chance to view the trophy in a special ceremony in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The trophy, which is accompanied by top FIFA officials, is on a worldwide tour and will be received in 51 countries and in 91 cities in a bid to promote the 2018 World Cup, which will be held from June 14 to July 15 in Russia. From Nairobi, the trophy tour will head to Mozambique.
According to FIFA guidelines, only a sitting head of state and World Cup winners are allowed to touch the trophy. Kenya has never won the trophy let alone participated in the World Cup finals, meaning no individual bar President Kenyatta can touch the treasured jewel.
Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and Egypt will represent Africa in this year's tournament in Russia.
This is the third time the trophy has landed in Nairobi. Kenya had its first feel of the trophy in 2010 when the continent hosted the World Cup in South Africa and later in 2013 on its way to Brazil.