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Multiple #Kenyan based journalists have raised concern's about racial undertones during the @RoyalFamily visit.
Those who I have spoken to say they were mistreated and felt degraded in their own country. A sovereign country, so to say.
Thread.

I will headline it as Segregated Press Buses, Stale Sandwiches & Used Toothpicks: Behind the Scenes of a Well-Choreographed but Tone-Deaf Royal Visit to #Kenya.
Journalists have complained of being segregated from their British counterparts during pool transportation...

...and not receiving proper meals, despite Kenyan taxpayers partly funding this high-level visit.
Organisers, @UKinKenya allegedly separated local journos from Kenya & the UK drawing criticism and claims of racial discrimination.

@UKinKenya The controversy began when three separate buses were designated for journos: two for the royal editors, correspondents, and photographers from the UK, and another one for the Kenyan based colleagues. I was amongst the accredited to cover the visit.

@UKinKenya The buses were labeled "UK media" and "Local media". This raised eyebrows as it appeared to segregate journalists based on their nationality and colour.
Colleagues have expressed displeasure about unequal treatment they received.

@UKinKenya I choose to drop all the frustrations of colleagues here because you're unlikely to find it in any local Television or publication. I can no longer defend the #Kenyan media.

@UKinKenya Colleagues in Nairobi woke up early in the morning and met at Radisson Blu Upperhill for two days. Tuesday and Wednesday. They were arranged under route one and route two.
No breakfast, water and lunch for Kenyan based journalists. @UKinKenya was distributing packed food.

@UKinKenya The Britons received preferential treatment during meal time, despite the Kenyan and UK state teams agreeing on distribution of food equally. The issue is not about food or water but contempt.

@UKinKenya In one incident, some Kenyan-based journalists were not provided lunch, only to be offered a few leftover food boxes later. Upon opening, they discovered stale sandwiches, unwrapped cupcake papers, and used toothpicks. This was and is disgusting!

@UKinKenya The situation escalated almost a week before the royal visit when senior officials from @UKinKenya created a WhatsApp group for Kenyan based media. The platform was intended to gather all accredited colleagues to cover the royal tour.

@UKinKenya However, administrators of the group from @UKinKenya initially enforced restrictions, "Only admins can send messages" that prevented journalists from engaging in any discussion.
My personal opinion; this was outright gagging!!!

@UKinKenya This restriction raised concerns about media freedom and it prompted me to challenge the head of communications at @UKinKenya whether the restrictions amounted to a gag order on Kenyan-based media. She told me she did that to streamline communication.

@UKinKenya Two or three hours later, the settings were changed and all participants were allowed to chat. Colleagues did ask pertinent questions regarding the visit. Nobody sent their personal images or anything unrelated.
Someone tried to choke us. It should never have happened.

@UKinKenya Hours before Charles Windsor arrived at @StateHouseKenya, an incident involving a senior Kenyan diplomatic figure and a @UKinKenya diplomat hinted at behind-the-scenes friction.
The UK diplo, was allegedly involved in a confrontation with a Kenyan envoy over press photographers.

Witnesses claim that the @UKinKenya diplomat engaged in a physical altercation with the Kenyan envoy, who played part in making this visit a success, seemingly over his placement, which she believed was obstructing coverage of the royal visit.
The envoy is a known media figure.

@UKinKenya I am saying this because without his input and back-channel diplomacy, this visit wouldn't have happened.

While details surrounding the confrontation remain somewhat unclear, this incident that disgusted many journalists and Kenyan state officials suggests that there may have been tensions or disagreements beneath the surface of the carefully orchestrated royal visit to #Kenya.

I have engaged the #Kenyan diplomat on the confrontation.
He told me "I think she was just trying to get line of sight for press photographers"
Very Diplomatic reply!
All the best balozi in your Diplomatic endeavors.

I also have engaged multiple state officials who registered their displeasure with the @UKinKenya official for mistreating senior and junior Kenyan government officials.

@UKinKenya Another unusual incident unfolded at the Nairobi Kariokor (Carriers Corp) cemetery, involving the said @UKinKenya diplomat, and a group of three individuals: two military officers linked to defence press unit and a civilian journalist.

@UKinKenya According to multiple sources, the foreign Diplomat confronted the trio at the cemetery, insisting that they relocate to predetermined fixed positions.
They were two categories:
1. Press Pools
2. Fixed Positions ( Simama wima kama mlingoti na usisonge).

@UKinKenya Despite the individuals' attempts to identify themselves, it appeared the @UKinKenya diplomat paid little heed to their explanations.
One source said, "It was either her way or the highway".
The source noted the diplo was resolute in her demand.

@UKinKenya She informed the three that they were on "Commonwealth grounds", thus subject to particular regulations
According to one source, "She even threatened to enlist palace guards to forcibly remove them if they didn't comply".

@UKinKenya This incident raised questions and concerns among those who witnessed it. Some observed that the @UKinKenya diplomat seemed to suggest an air of superiority, as if the rules governing the British Commonwealth could be imposed upon Kenyan soil.

It left many individuals, including the military officers, feeling concerned and disrespected.
This visit was also not without it's share of intriguing moments and curious decisions by both Kenyan and British officials.

One such instance during the royal visit to Nairobi National Park when a red carpet was unrolled for the @RoyalFamily, ostensibly to keep them from stepping directly onto the soil.
However, this decision received widespread attention, and not all of it was positive.

@RoyalFamily @scobie, a Royal Editor criticised the red carpet roll out for the @RoyalFamily as being absurd and out of touch with the event's natural surroundings.

@RoyalFamily @scobie He questioned why a more pragmatic approach wasn't taken, suggesting that a well-informed Buckingham Palace aide could have requested it's removal.

@RoyalFamily @scobie Furthermore, the royal couple's arrival stepping on a red carpet was met by @DrAlfredMutua, recently demoted Foreign Minister and now moved to Tourism ministry.

@RoyalFamily @scobie @DrAlfredMutua Another @RoyalFamily editor, @chrisshipitv who had accompanied the monarch on the Kenyan visit, expressed his observation that red carpets seemed to be a particular fascination for Kenyan officials during this visit.

@RoyalFamily @scobie @DrAlfredMutua @chrisshipitv Ship remarked in his tweet that he'd seen red carpets in Kenya than on any other Royal tour. He found this overuse to be somewhat peculiar and perhaps at odds with the practicality and aesthetics of the visit.

The royal visit to Kenya came to a close with a delightful and somewhat unconventional sight, demonstrating the lighter side of the monarch, King Charles. Ofcourse aimed for optics and public relations.

As the trip neared it's end, the King and Queen Camilla opted for a unique mode of transportation, squeezing into an electric tuk-tuk, a popular local three-wheeled bike in Mombasa for a photo opportunity.
They didn't ride the tuk tuk.

King Charles humorously suggested using it to get to the airport, eliciting laughter from all around.
In a playful spirit, royal reporters even joked about racing him to the destination.

For their final engagement in Mombasa, the @RoyalFamily visited Nyali beach within the Mombasa Marine Park.
Dressed in a grey suit and white shirt, the King explored how community groups and the Kenya Wildlife Service have been diligently working to manage waste.

@RoyalFamily However, the royal visit to Mombasa revealed some challenges. The coastal city is known for its scorching heat, with temperatures that can soar as high as 91 degrees Celsius.
This intense heat poses a significant challenge, emphasizing the need for suitable sun protection.

@RoyalFamily Visitors are always advised to wear sun hats for women and caps for men, as even a brief walk in the city or on the beaches could easily result in sunburn.

@RoyalFamily The climatic aspect appeared to catch the royal planners somewhat off guard, making it an unexpected twist in an otherwise carefully coordinated visit when the King went to the beach donning a full suit and a tie.