Fun, laughter and tight security as Kenyans celebrate

Security was tight as Kenyan’s marked Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday.

Unlike Mashujaa Day which was interrupted by rain, the weather was calm and favourable.

Security personnel, some with sniffer dogs kept vigil inside and outside the stadium.

The commemoration of the attainment of independence came at a time the Kenya Defence Forces are battling the al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

The rag-tag militia has also been involved in retaliatory attacks in Kenya using grenades.

Reports that self-confessed Al-Shabaab member Elgiva Bwire who was sentenced after confessing to being behind an attack in Nairobi had attended the Mashujaa Day celebrations in October prompted police to heighten security.

Those who attended the celebrations were thoroughly screened and gates locked immediately President Kibaki arrived at 11am.

To show its military prowess, the third battalion of the Kenya Rifles — the country’s oldest, having been formed in 1888 and participated in the Second World War — performed trooping of the colour.

Guests were also entertained by the military parade and a fly past by the Kenya Air Force. There were, however, no jets as in previous celebrations.

Eliminate Al-Shabaab

The first Puma Plane in the fly past carried a huge banner inscribed “Kiboko Yao,” which the master of ceremony said showed KDF’s determination to eliminate Al-Shabaab.

The other plane celebrated Kenya’s 48th Jamhuri with a banner, “Hongera Kenya” (Congratulations Kenya).

Comedian Eric Omondi of the popular NTV show, Churchill Live, and his brother Fred thrilled guests with their performance as did musicians Lucy Wangechi and Mumbi Kigwe. (SEE IN PICTURES: Kenya's 48th Jamhuri Day)

Youthful gospel singers BMF, Senende Secondary School from Western, the State House Choir — sponsored by First Lady Lucy Kibaki — and the Salvation Army also featured.

In their opening prayers Catholic Bishop Alfred Rotich and Muslim cleric Rajab Athman, both of the KDF, asked God to protect colleagues fighting Al-Shabaab in Somalia and for the mission’s success.

They also prayed for quick recovery of those injured and for families who had lost loved ones. South Sudan Vice-President Riek Machar led a delegation of ministers from the world’s newest state in attending Jamhuri Day.

“Kenya has been very supportive of the people of South Sudan during the war,” he said.

Dr Machar said the small border town of Lokichoggio was a lifeline of people of South Sudan and that Kenya also played a key role by hosting Sudan peace talks that ended 21 years of war.

“We owe a lot to Kenya for supporting us during the transition to independence. We want to learn and avoid the mistakes that befell it. We are happy democracy is thriving in Kenya in a war-torn region,” Dr Machar said.

The National Anthem was played four times at the event where speakers called for the country’s unity at a time when Kenya is faced by many challenges including fighting extremists, inflation and high cost of living.

President Kibaki paid tribute to the thousands of patriots who played a role in journey towards freedom and self-rule.

“I also salute the Kenyan people for their dedication to the responsible management of the affairs of our country,” President Kibaki said.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said: “While we have some things to celebrate today, 48 years after independence, our nation faces many challenges that it did not have a half-a-century ago.

“Our ancestors had vision and the fighting spirit to take us to independence. But they are long gone. It is up to us to build on what they did and to put determinedly behind us the many years already wasted through corruption, tribalism and mismanagement.”

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka was happy that the country had enjoyed good rains in the recent past a thing that would result in good harvests.

He said unlike last year when maize was affected by aflatoxin, this year the ministry of Agriculture was ready to protect harvests.