This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
On November 27, 2019, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Bomas of Kenya, where President Uhuru Kenyatta had launched the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) alongside his deputy William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
However, the event took an unexpected turn when Dennis Itumbi, a blogger and self-proclaimed employee of the Office of the President, was manhandled by security personnel and dragged off the VVIP dias.
Itumbi, dressed in a dark suit, had been waiting in the background, perhaps hoping for a photo opportunity with the dignitaries. But instead, he was approached by a security officer who gestured to him that he was an unwanted guest.
The two appeared to disagree on the direction Itumbi should take to exit the stage, with the officer suggesting one side and Itumbi insisting on using the shortest exit available.
As the disagreement escalated, Itumbi was seen being dragged away from the stage in a less than honorable manner, leaving many to wonder if his colleagues had recognized him or if he had fallen out with the powers that be.
Itumbi's ejection from the presidential dais comes just three months after he was charged in court in connection with a fake letter alleging a plot to assassinate Deputy President William Ruto.
