This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's return from the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan, on August 29, 2019, was marked by a dramatic incident at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
According to eyewitnesses, presidential guards ordered a section of official photographers to delete pictures capturing the President's reception on his arrival at the airport. The incident occurred shortly after 9am, when President Kenyatta landed from Japan.
Deputy President William Ruto, Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe, military service commanders, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang were among the officials who received the President. However, Governor Sang's arrival seemed to have caught some of the leaders off-guard, as he had been charged with malicious damage of property, incitement to violence, and abuse of public office two months prior to the incident.
It is alleged that the President's security men were instructed to delete the photos because Sang's presence might have been seen as endorsing him, given the charges against him. The President is said to have instructed his handlers to closely control publicity surrounding his activities, including his departures and arrivals.
State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena declined to comment on the incident, responding with a simple 'no comment' when questioned about the matter.
