- A video captured President William Ruto's official photographer, Hiram Kathurima, in a physical confrontation with a Presidential Unit security officer
- The incident appeared to unfold as the officer attempted to move Kathurima out of the way while Ruto engaged with members of the public during his tour
- Kenyans online were divided over who was in the right, with some backing the photographer for standing his ground
A video making rounds online has captured a brief but heated physical exchange between President William Ruto's official photographer, Hiram Kathurima, and a member of the presidential security unit during what appears to have been a recent presidential function.
Source: UGC
The footage shows the president walking through a crowd, visibly engaged with the public around him. At one point, a woman excitedly approached Ruto and the two shared a brief interaction.
In the midst of the commotion, a member of the security team shoved Kathurima, seemingly in an attempt to clear a path.
Rather than stepping aside, the photographer pushed back, refusing to let the move go unchallenged.
The confrontation was short-lived. The security officer appeared to acknowledge the moment and patted Kathurima in what looked like a conciliatory gesture.
Kathurima then resumed his work, continuing to photograph the president as the event carried on.
Based on the yellow shirt Ruto was wearing in the clip, the altercation is believed to have occurred on Thursday, October 15.
On that day, the president was in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, for a series of official engagements.
He flagged off the Keiyo North Last Mile Connectivity Project, a KSh 632 million initiative set to connect 3,169 homes across the constituency. He also commissioned a new tuition block at the Iten Kenya Medical Training College.
Both Kathurima and the security officer were on official presidential duty at the time of the incident.
The clip attracted a wave of comments from Kenyans who watched the confrontation play out. Opinions were split, with some siding firmly with the photographer.
@joylemayian wrote:
"@omarih_k_hiram I am proud of you. Everyone should do their job"
The photographer himself responded to the praise:
"@joylemayian 😂😂😂😂😂 kabisa."
@anita_soina was more cautious:
"He was about to spoil the photographer's job!"
Which helicopter did Ruto switch to?
In other news, Ruto arrived in Elgeyo Marakwet in an Airbus H130, drawing attention to his choice of aircraft over the military plane.
The sighting came months after Airbus announced delivering its 1,000th H130 to Kenyan operator Rotorjet Aviation.
However, the aircraft’s ownership and connection to Ruto remain unconfirmed.
Source: TUKO.co.ke