President Uhuru Kenyatta has led the nation to celebrate its fifty-eighth Jamhuri day.
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The event was held at the new Uhuru Gardens grounds along Langata Road in Nairobi.
The ceremony was graced by, among other dignitaries, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, his wife Second Lady Rachael Ruto, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and others, CJ Martha Koome, Musalia Mudavadi, Speakers Justine Muturi and Ken Lusaka .
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The ceremony’s attendance was limited to 10,000 heads in line with the COVID-19 containment protocols, and the day was not marked at the county levels.
President Uhuru’s motorcade arrived at Uhuru Gardens at around 11:15 am.
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He was escorted by the Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi as he inspected the Guard of Honour mounted by a detachment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
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The Head of State dressed up in his Kenya Army Ceremonial outfit, which was in line with the Trooping of the Colour Ceremony.
He witnessed the Trooping of the Colour military ceremony by the 19th Battalion based in Nyali, The Kenya Rifles.
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Uhuru also witnessed Kenya Airforce (KAF) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) paratroopers performed aircraft acrobatic and free-fall manoeuvres during the ceremony.
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After the military show, an interdenominational team of faith leaders officially opened the ceremony with a word of prayer.
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The country’s finest entertainers who performed patriotic songs also entertained the guests. One performance included young local artists who sang a prayer song entitled ‘Damu Moja’, which loosely translates to ‘One blood’ in English.
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A mass choir made up of Kenyan university students from the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and Technical University of Kenya performed entertained the guests with their song ‘Matunda ya Uhuru’ and their performance was followed by ray Gee’s presentation of ‘Kipenzi Kenya’
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When the entertainment and performances segment was over, it was time for the head of state to deliver his speech for 2021 Jamhuri Day.
The Deputy President gave a brief speech before he ushered the Head of State to give his address.
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Ruto congratulated President Uhuru on his stewardship, in the transformation of the grounds to what he termed as truly Uhuru gardens, on behalf of Kenyans.
He said as the country celebrates the fifty-eighth Jamhuri day; the country builds on the successes and the achievements of the past while learning the useful lessons of the things that were not done right.
After his brief speech, the DP invited the guest of honour, President Uhuru to deliver his speech to the nation.
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The President said he was delighted and privileged to host celebrations at the Uhuru Gardens, People’s Garden.
President Uhuru started his speech by giving a brief history of how the Republic of Kenya was born fifty-seven years ago.
Uhuru reiterated the importance of history to a people and differed with a section of citizens that believe that downplays the importance of history.
After finishing his address to the public, President Uhuru extended an opportunity to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to greet the public.
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Raila also took Kenyan down memory lane as he shared details from the past about the Uhuru Gardens. He reiterated the importance of history, saying if one does not reflect on the past, they are likely to repeat the same mistakes they made.
The former prime minister lauded Uhuru for the work at Uhuru Gardens and thanked him for his efforts.
Uhuru finished his speech by wishing Kenyans a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.
After the speeches were over, the president conferred awards and honours to selected citizens for the distinguished and outstanding service they have offered to the nation.
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The ceremony officially came to a close with the singing of the national anthem at around 2:30 pm.
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