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By:
WANJOHI GITHAE | |||||||||
| Posted:
Dec,12-2015 19:56:25
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The 52nd Jamhuri Day celebrations had several firsts and the usual fanfare associated with the December 12 national day.
The presence of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia continued the tradition that President Uhuru Kenyatta has set by inviting Heads of State to the December 12 celebrations.
In 2013, 10 Heads of State graced the 50th Kenyan independence celebrations while, in 2014, Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and John Mahama of Ghana were in attendance.
TRADITION
President Sirleaf arrived shortly after 11 am and was received by Deputy President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed.
His Highness the Aga Khan was also accorded full State reception when he arrived at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The President arrived at 11.20 pm, although the official programme had indicated he would arrive at 10.55 am.
Members of the Kenya Defence Forces had moved to position at 10.40 am in readiness for the arrival of their Commander-in-Chief.
Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga was not present but Deputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal was there.
This was her last day as a member of the Judiciary as her term ends in the New Year as decreed by a five-judge bench on Friday.
She had gone to court seeking assurances that she should retire at 74 years, but the judges ruled that she should proceed on retirement upon attaining 70 years.
TROOPING THE COLOUR
The highlight of the day was trooping the colour, an elaborate military ceremony that is watched in amazement by members of the public.
Trooping the colour originated in 17th century England.
It involved the Queen's colour which was a symbol of sovereignty and would be showcased in an elaborate ceremony.
After independence, the presidential and regimental colours replaced those of the Queen.
According to military traditions, all infantry units and bases are presented with both presidential and regimental colours.
When a unit is designated to troop its colour, it becomes an honour to the regiment as it is able to show its colours in this ceremony called “Trooping the Colour”.
Saturday, honours were accorded to the 15th Battalion of the Kenya Rifles which was formed on March 13, 1989. The unit is based in Mariakani in Mombasa.
The actual ceremony involved the presidential colour being marched in under the escort of two senior non-commissioned officers to the edge of the parade.
It was then handed over to the unit Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) who handed it over to the Colour Officer.
The Colour Officer was Lt J. Oyamo and was Commander of the Colour Party.
COLOUR PARTY
The colour was then paraded before the troops.
After the parade formally received the colour,
it was trooped before the Commander in Chief in a slow and then quick march.
The honour of trooping the colour is a significant event which is recoded in the unit’s history.
Saturday's ceremony was a departure from previous ones because military commentator Warrant Officer Gibson Mwandawiro did not offer his colourful commentary to the assembled dignitaries and members of the public.
It emerged that President Uhuru Kenyatta had requested the parade to be undertaken without any commentary save for the military band and the parade commander's voice.
And the military band did not disappoint in the close to one hour Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Some of the tunes they belted out include Nimeonja pendo, Utukuzwe, Kiatu Kivue, Zaeni Matunda Mema and Taunet ne Lel.
The presence of celebrated Burundian singer Jean Pierre Nimbona, popularly known as Kidum, was also a highlight.
Organisers of national celebrations usually bring in choirs and they did not disappoint. A giant choir comprising staff from parastatals, ministries, counties as well as private companies accompanied by joint armed forces brass bands performed two songs.
When the ceremony was over, the President walked towards his limousine hand in hand with First Lady Margaret as they chatted happily followed closely by President Sirleaf.
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