President Uhuru Kenyatta's presidential escort and KDF Officers engaged in a confrontation during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront Park in Mombasa, on October 20, 2019.
Daily Nation reported on Tuesday, October 22, that the almost-physical exchange took place just minutes before the president arrived at the venue.
The publication stated that the military officers demanded that the presidential team immediately leaves the venue, but the team was adamant.
It took the intervention of senior police chiefs to calm the tension before matters got out of hand, after which the president's team was allowed to carry on with its mandate.
That was not the only embarrassing incident that took place at the function.
Daily Nation reported that other invited dignitaries, including Cabinet secretaries and foreign envoys, were forced to park their cars at Kilindini Cultural Centre and walk all the way to the venue, and with limited staff.
Getting to the venue, the path to their tents was reported to have been blocked by military officers who were preparing to march once the president arrived.
To access their seats, dignitaries were forced to walk in pairs and squeeze between the barriers which were holding the crowd and the neat military formation.
Only Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and the Chief Justice David Maraga were reported to have been driven to the podium.
After the function, more chaos ensued, as the crowd reportedly surged forward, blocking the exit path for the dignitaries who had to walk back to the parking.
Most of the high-level guests, who were expected for lunch at State House, Mombasa were reported to have made their way there on foot, after finding it hard to locate their aides in the melee.
Video of President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Mashujaa Day Celebration
