Security tightened as Kenya marks 53rd Madaraka Day

Tight security characterized Nakuru's Afraha Stadium as the country marked the 53 Madaraka Day presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta and attended by various leaders.

Security was tight in and out of the stadium as police officers with sniffer dogs and horseback did security check-up of the situation on the ground.

Around the stadium armed officers were deployed after every few meters of the perimeter wall with members of public searched as they lined up to enter the stadium.

A combined continent of Kenya Defence Forces, the General Service Unit, regular and administration policemen took positions outside and inside the stadium.

Visitors who streamed into the stadium were thoroughly frisked to ensure safety of Kenyans who attended the colourful celebrations. Nobody was spared in these operation, even members of the fourth estate and dignitaries who attended the event.

Tenants living in adjacent buildings were not lucky after their tricks to view the event under the comfort of their balconies were thwarted by plain cloth security officers who ordered windows shut.

Armed GSU officers moved from plot to another instructing the occupants to join the rest of Nakuru residents at the stadium or remain indoors.

"Kindly descend or remain inside your house. Nobody will be allowed to follow the proceedings from the roof or balcony," a GSU officer told a woman sited at a balcony facing the stadium.

Hawkers who had trooped to the venue with their wares were ordered to transact their business elsewhere and not anywhere near the venue.

All those entering the stadium had their bags passed through a metal detector before being subjected to a thorough body search.

Nairobi- Nakuru highway between State house and KFA round about was temporarily closed between 10am and 11am to allow President Kenyatta and his entourage to move from State House Nakuru to Afraha Stadium.

Others affected were, Moi road-linking the Highway to the Stadium, Kariba road, Geoffrey Kamau, Oginga Odinga and all other roads leading to the central business district.

However, after waiting for many hours, disappointed members of the public left before their counterparts forced their way in and allowed to sit under the scorching sun in the middle of the stadium.