A British man has been killed in a hit-and-run incident involving the Kenyan president’s motorcade.

Edgar Charles Frederick, 79, died on Thursday after being struck on a main road in the capital, as William Ruto conducted a tour of Nairobi.

Mr Frederick was knocked into the air by one vehicle in the convoy travelling along Ngong Road, and was then run over by another, according to eye-witnesses.

The convoy did not stop and Mr Frederick was left dying on the road.

Video clips purporting to show the aftermath showed an elderly man lying on the tarmac, bleeding heavily and covered in a blanket.

Police said they had launched an investigation and arrested the driver of a support vehicle travelling as part of Mr Ruto’s convoy. The vehicle belonged to the regional administration and was providing support to the presidential detail.

Kenya’s presidential motorcade can often be seen speeding through Nairobi and police clear the road of traffic in advance so it can pass swiftly.

Mr Frederick was reported to be in the country to visit his sister and nephew and was said to be hard of hearing, leading to speculation he may not have heard the approach of the motorcade, or warnings from traffic officers.

Mr Ruto continued his engagements after the incident and half an hour later was joking with crowds about his new nickname “El Chapo”, which he has earned because he has promised to deliver a machine that can make a million chapatis a day as part of a high-profile school-feeding programme.

Mr Ruto is trying to claw back popularity after police shot dead scores of protesters last year.

The road accident caused anger on social media but only attracted limited attention in the local news.

Robert Alai, Nairobi’s most prominent local politician, replied to public anger about the incident on social media saying: “People die every day. Let it go!”

The unnamed motorcade driver was released on cash bail soon after his arrest.

The government vehicle has been taken to a police station for testing.

Michael Muchiri, a police spokesman, said: “Investigations are underway, and the vehicle has been inspected. The driver of the government motor vehicle, attached to the Nairobi regional coordinator’s office, is out on cash bail awaiting arraignment in court.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Kenya and are in contact with the local authorities.”