Security: The promised ring of steel comes to pass

By KENFREY KIBERENGE and CYRUS OMBATI


Security agents left nothing to chance as top leaders, both local and international, and ordinary citizens gathered at Uhuru Park to usher in the Second Republic.

Save for the dignitaries, each person attending the historic fete had to undergo security screening conducted by regular police officers aided by the National Youth Service, using metal detectors.

There were more than 8,000 combined security personnel. Few cars were allowed at the venue, even those of Cabinet ministers.

Ministers had to walk to the park after being dropped off metres away, as MPs rode into the venue in green NYS buses.

Long queues, almost the entire stretch of Uhuru Highway, began forming at 6am as wananchi walked in to beat the 8.15am deadline set by the Government for the public to be seated.

This was the first time the security agents were screening the public at a national event.

In June, five people were killed and 70 injured in a twin grenade attack at the same venue during a prayer-cum-campaign rally, organised by the preachers and politicians who opposed the Proposed Constitution.

Park closed for two days

Friday, attendants of the promulgation event had to undergo the long and tedious procedure of screening to ensure security was guaranteed. The park had also been closed to the public for the previous two days for security reasons.

Also, numerous plain-clothed police officers intermingled with the public to quell dissent, in what has become a common feature during national days.

And anybody who ‘behaved badly’ was whisked away by the camouflaged security officers.

In addition, there were several mean-looking officers in plain clothes, easily identifiable by their oversize jackets, who kept organising the mammoth crowd.

They restricted the people from forming a huge crowd in front of the presidential pavilion.

Two columns of NYS members and baton-wielding police officers had been drawn in front of the crowd to avoid the public from surging forward.

Hundreds of elite security agents had also drawn several columns in front of the VIP podium. Others could be seen on the rooftops of buildings of the ministries of Agriculture and Health. Anti-riot police also surrounded Uhuru Park during yesterday’s event.

VIP SECURITY

Meanwhile, other security officers are said to have been deployed at various hotels to beef up security.

About 200 others were deployed to various dignitaries for their security.

Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court at The Hague for crimes against humanity, was given 18 officers.

The arrival and movement of Bashir, who was flanked by outriders, was secretly guarded. Sources disclosed that he had requested his presence not to be announced.

Also, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni had asked his arrival not to be mentioned.

Every officer had a different briefing on what he or she could do. Police said no incident was reported.

Those guarding presidents were from ‘G’ company of the General Service Unit, and were linked to a central communication channel to ensure easier movement and co-ordination.

Police estimated that close to 500,000 people attended the historic event.

Wilson Airport was also closed for two hours and borders sealed off as part of the security arrangements.

Sniffer dogs were used to detect narcotics or explosives while horses patrolled and controlled crowds.