Thousands throng Machakos for Mashujaa Day fete
President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives for the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on October 20, 2016. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kenyans from Machakos as well as other counties started trooping into the well-decorated stadium from as early as 6am.
- Hundreds of National Youth Service personnel were on standby at virtually every inch of the stadium.
- Cord leader Kalonzo Musyoka had on Tuesday that he would lead fellow opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang'ula to the event.
- However, in a statement Thursday morning, Mr Odinga said he would not be available during the function.
Thousands of Kenyans from all walks of life have thronged Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos for this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The event has been addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the second national fete of its kind to be held outside Nairobi.
President Kenyatta had in June addressed a Madaraka Day celebration in Nakuru.
Some of those present are Deputy President William Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Majority Leader Aden Duale, Chief Justice David Maraga, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, and his Defence counterpart Raychelle Omamo.
Cabinet secretaries Henry Rotich (Treasury) and Phyllis Kandie (Labour) are also in attendance.
Others are US Ambassador Robert Godec, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Ford-Kenya counterpart are also attending the event.
Mr Musyoka had on Tuesday said he and fellow Cord co-principals Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang'ula would lead other opposition leaders to the event.
However, in a statement Thursday morning, Mr Odinga said he would not be available during the function.
“Happy Mashujaa Day fellow Kenyans. I will not be able to join you in Mashujaa Day celebrations today for I have had to travel to the United Kingdom this morning,” Mr Odinga said
He continued: “I am scheduled to address students, scholars, public service officials and political leaders at the London Metropolitan University tomorrow during the opening session of the London Political Summit 2016.”
There had been rumours the Cord brigade would hold parallel celebrations, as they did with the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1.
Cord leaders, however, said they had not planned a parallel event.
EVERY INCH
Kenyans from Machakos as well as other counties started trooping into the well-decorated stadium from as early as 6am.
Hundreds of National Youth Service personnel were on standby at virtually every inch of the stadium.
At at about 9.30am, a contingent of heavily deployed police officers locked all the three gates in what organisers said was to allow a military parade.
"Those people outside the gates, do not worry. The gates will be open once the parade is done. For now, let us follow the events on the many large TV screens," said Peter Wanjohi, the head of presidential functions.
