President William Ruto presided over the Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Uhuru Gardens. The celebrations were largely shunned by members of the public with most of the seats remaining empty during the celebrations.

Senior government officials thronged the venue and there were heightened activities at the VIP entrance when compared to little activities on the side where members of the public made their way to the fete. The terraces were empty, the seats designated in the field were empty and it was a far cry from previous celebrations when Kenyans literary squeezed themselves to the venues.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula was among the first dignitaries to arrive. Mr Wetangula arrived at Uhuru Gardens around 10am, followed closely by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi. The two speakers were followed by Chief Justice Martha Koome and Prime Cabinet Secretary nominee Musalia Mudavadi who arrived shortly after.

The military parade started their drills some few minutes to 11 am before the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made his way into the venue accompanied by his wife Dorcas Gachagua. After the Deputy president, First lady Rachael Ruto  made her way to the podium and closely thereafter, the president arrived in his ceremonial Landrover truck.

The president was then escorted round the venue by the presidential motorcade as he waved to the ecstatic crowd amid cheers and jubilation from the crowd who had come to witness the celebrations.

The president went on to inspect the guard of honor mounted by the military before proceeding to the dais.

More to follow…