20 injured after falling off a tree during Madaraka Day celebrations in Meru

More than 20 people have been rushed to hospital after falling off a tree they were watching the Madaraka Day celebrations from in Meru.

The official 55th Madaraka Day celebrations, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, are taking place at the Kinoru Stadium in Meru.

Locals trooped in at the venue from as early as 4am steadily filling up the stadium with an estimated 30,000 capacity.

Security barred people from entering once it filled up and the rest were forced to follow the proceedings from outside the stadium.

South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza is in attendance together with top government and diplomatic officials. The opposition coalition is represented by Raila Odinga.

Regional commissioner Wycliffe Ogallo says security has been heightened inside and outside stadium.

Madaraka Day is a national holiday that commemorates the attainment of internal self-rule from Britain in 1963.