Protocol goofs at Kasarani

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY NZAU MUSAU

DESPITE months of preparations, the swearing in ceremony of Kenya's fourth president Uhuru Kenyatta had it's fair share of protocol goofs and mistakes.

 Deputy President of the Chinese Congress People’s Party Zhang Baowen- who was the first dignitary to arrive- had to be moved to another seat as the canopy of the tent could not cover him from the sweltering sun above.

 Other dignitaries at the front row had to be shielded with umbrellas as those who arranged the seats put them too close to the edge.

 At 10:56am and with guests already seated, men wearing construction overalls passed over them dangerously carrying boxes of mineral waters which they distributed randomly. The empty boxes were thrown down the dais cliff and stuffed beneath by security men.

 The security men of Presidents Salva Kiir Maryadit, Joseph Kabila and Jacob Zuma almost came to blows with the Kenyan security guarding the main dais. It appeared that they had not been briefed that they would not accompany their bosses up the main dais.

 Some aide de camp's of lesser known presidents were blocked from accompanying their presidents. Some protested and were let in. By 11:10am, the dais was already full and more seats had to be added.

Perhaps the biggest goof was to allow a publication by former MP Stephen Ndicho titled “Humble walk to the 4^th President: An archival pictorial Treasure” to be distributed to the chief guests alongside the official programme.

 The publication by Limpopo Publishers was of poor quality, carelessly captioned, badly edited, poorly designed and some of the photos lifted from copyrighted sites.

 Senator Muriuki Karue somehow squeezed a seat between the presidential row and sat there throughout the ceremony. Mutunga's chief of security was also blocked and his constant pleas to be allowed to go give him his blazer fell on deaf ears.

 Central Bank of Kenya governor Njuguna Ndung'u was rescued from the sweltering heat by former MP David Murathe who scouted for a seat and gave him. When members of Kibaki's family arrived led by Jimmy, they walked onto the already full dais unaccompanied and were only rescued military orderly who gave up his seat and scouted for others.

 Towards the end, emcee Sammy Lui had to repeatedly call out for the Commander-In-Chief Land Rover to come pick their new boss round the stadium to greet the crowds. The land rover had been blocked by VIP vehicles ready to pick up their dignitaries.

 Kenyan businessmen did not miss out in the ceremony. Among those who attended included Media Owner's Kiprono Kittony and businessmen Raj Devani and Chris Kirubi.