colour pomp mark Kenya’s independence day fete A drone caused a security scare during the celebrations when it hovered over the Nyayo National Stadium.
The crowd sitting in front of the dais only spotted the object flying above them. Some thought it was a kite but its movements indicated the tiny aircraft was being remote-controlled.
This immediately attracted the attention of members of the celebrations committee.
Drones are small unmanned planes mainly used by the military or security to conduct aerial surveys and take pictures.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had not arrived at the venue. However, the tiny unmanned aircraft aroused the curiosity of the dignitaries sitting at the dais who included Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Julius Karangi and other top military brass.
BRING IT DOWN
Together with his colleagues, Gen Karangi approached members of the celebrations committee and directed them to order whoever was controlling the drone to bring it down.
After it was brought down, the military chief and his team returned to take their seats.
We could not establish who owned the drone but security sources said it belonged to a Kenyan media house.
The celebrations continued with several troupes and choirs entertaining the crowds.
Security was tight and police mounted several road blocks along the way to the stadium.
There was also a heavy presence of police and paramilitary personnel on top of buildings as others kept vigil along the roads leading to the stadium.
All those entering the stadium were frisked and surrendered any metallic object including coins, cell phones and even belts.
Kenya Defence Forces demonstrated their skills in skydiving, which they abandoned during the Mashujaa Day celebrations last October.
