Mashujaa Day: Kenya Navy holds first ever military ocean parade

The Kenya Navy fires a 21-gun salute at the Indian Ocean during the 10th Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa County on October 20, 2019. PHOTO | ANTHONY KITIMO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Twenty-one gun salutes rent the air at the Indian Ocean in Mombasa as the Kenya Navy conducted the historic parade during the 55th Mashujaa Day celebrations.
  • Ferry services were temporarily halted to allow a speed boats show after which the Kenya Navy Ship, Jasiri, fired shots to mark the celebrations.
  • The Kenya Navy soldiers conducted their parade under their slogan “On time, on target, never quit”.

Kenyans, for the first time since independence, witnessed a military ocean parade conducted by the Kenya Navy during the 10th Mashujaa Day celebrations on Sunday.

Twenty-one gun salutes rent the air at the Indian Ocean in Mombasa as the Kenya Navy conducted the historic parade.

Ferry services were temporarily halted to allow a speed boats show after which the Kenya Navy Ship, Jasiri, fired shots to mark the celebrations.

KN Jasiri, commanded by Lieutenant Collins Owino, was acquired in 2012 and can move at a speed of 28 knots, equivalent to 51km/h on the road.

The Kenya Navy gets into formation to showcase its prowess in the water during the 10th Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa County on October 20, 2019. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

SPECIAL VESSELS

Also in the parade at the Likoni crossing channel were four vessels including KN Shujaa, which arrived in the country in 1997 and was steered by Major Hesbon Mugane.

The vessel moves at a speed of 22 knots which is equal to 40.7km/h on the road.

KN Harambee was led by Major Faith Hariri Magane, the first female commanding officer

The vessel also arrived into the country in 1997 and can move at 22 notes or 40km/h on the road.

Kenya Navy Ship Umoja was steered by Major Paul Kariuki with the help of Captain Salome Mwikali. It arrived in 1987 and can move at a speed of 35 knots, equivalent to 68.75km/h.

The Kenya Navy holds a parade during celebrations in Mombasa County to mark the 10th Mashujaa Day. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

OTHER DISPLAYS

The other vessels included the recently acquired Kenya Coast Guard’s MV Doria led by commanding officer Major Japheth Mayaka.

MV Doria arrived in the country in 2018 and can move at a speed of 35 knots which is equivalent to 64km/hr.

RV Mtafiti was commanded by Major Abel Murimi. It arrived in the country in 2014 and moves at a speed of 14 knots or 25.90km/h.

The Kenya Navy soldiers conducted their parade under their slogan “On time, on target, never quit”.

Kenya Navy ships take part in a sail past during the 10th Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa County, at which the first ever military ocean parade since independence took place on October 20, 2019. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Coloured troops parade marched past the presidential dais in both slow and quick time as the Kenya Defender Forces displayed its prowess.

Aircrafts including the F5 fighter jet flew around a few meters from the venue.

Deputy William Ruto, Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga and Wiper's leader Kalonzo Musyoka were among those who attended the celebrations at the Mama Ngina Waterfront.