Just hours to the Madaraka Day celebrations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu County, dramatic scenes have been witnessed in the seven gates that will serve as entry and exit points for about 3,000 invited guests.
Many residents who had not acquired gate passes made frantic attempts to access the stadium as early as 4 am.
However, a group of military officers deployed were on standby to ensure only the invited guests were granted access.
Long queues were also witnessed across the seven gates as the officers manning the gate ensured the attendees were not only authorised but also observed security protocols.
Residents who spoke to K24 Digital said a majority of them had arrived at the venue very early in the morning but were told off for lacking gate passes.
“We have been denied access to the venue despite having come here at 4 am. We are asking the President, why are we not allowed to access the venue to celebrate Madaraka Day as Kisumu residents?” posed a man who identified himself as Fidel Mtetezi wa Wanyonge.
A heavy contingent of police officers were deployed around Kisumu City early Tuesday morning as residents trickled into the stadium.
Other residents who spoke to K24 Digital, lamented over the heavy deployment and called for the government to allow them to access the venue freely.
“I have come here to witness Madaraka day live and direct. What has shocked me is that this event has been militarized, I came here around 4 am only to access the venue at around 8 am,” Martin Oduor told K24 Digital.
K24 Digital has established that residents who had gate passes were allowed entry while the majority of those who had denied themselves sleep in order to force their way into the venue were dismissed.
The 30,000 seat stadium was reduced to about 3,000 invited guests in a move that is aimed at arresting the spread of the Covid-19.
The 58th Madaraka Day celebration is being held in Kisumu for the first time since independence, thanks to the Handshake deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
President Uhuru is expected to lead the celebrations.
Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife Angeline Ndayishimiye jetted into Kisumu on Moday. They will be part of the celebrations.
Deputy President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries and other dignitaries are expected to attend.
