Pomp and colour as Kenyans mark 55 years of independence

President Kenyatta, the commander-in-chief of Kenya's Defence Forces in full military regalia (left) and General Samson Mwathethe, the Chief of Defence, at Nyayo on December 12, 2018. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • The organisers appear to have taken cue from the president’s public admonishment and planned better this year.
  • The president arrived dressed in full military gear, unlike in the past when he has worn suits.
  • Mr Odinga led opposition principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and Moses Wetang'ula to the event.

Last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta demanded an explanation from organisers of national celebrations after the Jamhuri Day event in Nairobi was poorly attended.

He accused his team, especially those at the Interior ministry of failing to mobilise Kenyans to turn out at Kasarani Stadium.

The organisers appear to have taken cue from the president’s public admonishment and planned better this year.

The 2018 Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium were well attended, a stark contrast to last year's event.

President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret leave State House for Nyayo for the celebrations. PHOTO | PSCU

All the stands were filled to capacity with Kenyans, some dressed in the colours of the national flag.

MILITARY UNIFORM

The president arrived dressed in full military gear, unlike in the past when he has worn suits.

The 2017 Jamhuri Day celebrations came just two weeks after Mr Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term following a protracted elections crisis.

Then, the opposition gave the national celebrations a wide berth, with ODM vice-chairman Josphat Nanok being the only one present at the ceremony.

Kenyans follow Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo stadium in Nairobi on December 12, 2018. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Mr Odinga had contested at the Supreme Court, and won, against President Kenyatta’s win in the August 2017 election but boycotted the repeat election in October.

RAILA ODINGA

On the day President Kenyatta led the country in celebrating the national event, Mr Odinga was at Jacaranda Grounds pacifying his supporters who had been teargassed as they were waiting for him to take a mock oath.

He promised to be “sworn in” as the “people's president” on January 30, 2018.

President Kenyatta meets opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula at Nyayo. PHOTO | PSCU

Today, the story is different as the entire top opposition team is at Nyayo National Stadium for the celebrations.

Mr Odinga led opposition principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and Moses Wetang'ula to the event.

While the Kenya Navy led the trooping of colour ceremonies in the 2017 Jamhuri Day celebrations, in the 2018 event it was the turn of the 17 Battalion, the Kenya Rifles from the Kenya Army.