President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, to preside over his final Jamhuri Day celebrations as head of state. He was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
Deputy President William Ruto and his wife Rachel are also in attendance as well as Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga. Also present are Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet secretaries and members of diplomatic corps.
The President is dressed in the red tunic ceremonial gear for the Commander in Chief of Defense Forces, the second time he has donned the attire in the last nine years of his presidency. The first was in 2018 soon after he was sworn into office for his second and final term.
The unique dress is for the purpose of a “sacred military” event, the consecration, presentation and trooping of colour by the 19 Battalion, the Kenya Rifles.
In 2018, President Kenyatta presided over a similar event for the 17th Battalion which has since undertaken major operational assignments including at the Kenyan Coast, North Eastern and several tours under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom III, V and VI) in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
During such a sacred event, the Commander in Chief officially recognises or forms a new military base or unit for special assignments. The President handed the 19 Battalion their presidential and regimental flags.
The unit was consecrated by Bishop Salesius Mugambi of Meru Catholic Diocese, who is in charge of disciplined forces and Rev Prof Joseph Galgalo who is Jackson ole Sapit’s deputy at the Anglican Church of Kenya.
This is President Kenyatta’s final Jamhuri Day speech. The presidential election is expected on August 9, 2022 and he will hand over power to the winner after the end of his 10 year term.
The President is expected to detail his government’s achievements, challenges in the last nine years.
Two weeks ago, he addressed the nation in the annual State of the Nation address, in which gave a detailed analysis of his administration’s achievements for the last nine years. BY DAILY NATION