Top security officers, government officials, clergy and members of the public dashed to safety after a teargas canister exploded during Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Mavoko Stadium, Machakos County on Friday.
Mavoko Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Makori Kodek, had just started reading the President's speech few minutes after noon when the incident occurred leaving him alone reading the speech.
The explosion came from an enforcement van belonging to Mavoko Sub-county government that was parked few metres from the dais where Makori was reading the speech.
The fleeing groups of people thought the van was on fire since they saw teargas vapor which they confused for smoke from a distance.
Kodek continued with the speech even after the stadium was vacated due to the unexpected commotion.
Some of the people later returned to the stadium to listen to the speech after security officers from Athi River removed the canister from the van and took away its driver for interrogations.
Most members of the public left in disappointment vowing never to return claiming the place was unhealthy to be in after being affected by the teargas.
The Deputy County Commissioner warned the public against running aimlessly whenever emergencies occurred arguing they could be running to danger instead of safer places.