Dennis Itumbi eased out of presidential podium, makes joke out of it

Dennis Itumbi at the Milimani Law Court in Nairobi. [George Njunge/Standard]

The Director of Digital New Media and Diaspora at the Presidential Strategic and Communication Unit (PSCU) Dennis Itumbi was on Wednesday escorted away from the presidential podium by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s security detail after the unveiling of the BBI report at Bomas of Kenya.

Standard Digital has seen footage of two bodyguards escorting him away from the dais behind the first layer of Uhuru’s security detail in front of which stood the president, his deputy William Ruto, Raila Odinga, BBI taskforce chairman Yusuf Haji and Tanzania Foreign Affairs Minister Palamagamba Kabudi.

Embarrassing moment for Dennis Itumbi after he was chased away from podium during the BBI launch. #BridgingTheDivide #BBIReport pic.twitter.com/8BkPIo5yPZ

— Daily Nation (@dailynation) November 27, 2019

But one of the bodyguards remains with him most likely to prevent him from going back to the spot they had removed him from. 

Later in a tweet, Itumbi downplayed the issue saying, “No embarrassment. Just another great day in office....of course you see I still remained on the podium. Just one of those moments when everyone is just doing their job…hahaa enjoyed. Tuko sawa.”

Netizens commented on the incident with some questioning why the Director of New Media at PSCU would be escorted from a State event.

I can see Baba @RailaOdinga pocketing both hands while helpless @OleItumbi is dragged off the podium by the MEN IN BLACK ????
that's just a reahalsal of how power can change too fast.
It's game on ladies and gentlemen. ???????????????? — ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????? (@Perkins_KE) November 27, 2019

Don't worry. @OleItumbi was at wrong place per security personnel. He must accept her has lost his status

— Fred Allan ArapNyankuru (@FredNyankuru) November 27, 2019