Song, dance and colour as Kenya turns 50 years of self-rule

By George Orido and  Felix Olick

NAIROBI, KENYA: Like a large ‘army of angels’, children from city primary schools marched on to the pitch to entertain President Uhuru and guests.

The spectacle at the Nyayo National Stadium signaled a return of the schools’ mass choir last seen during former President Daniel Moi’s administration.

Led by celebrated music teacher, Faith Mbote and Education Ministry technocrat Ruth Agesa, the over 2,500 pupils formed a massive choir, raising Kenyan flag in their song Kenya Daima composed by among others Calvin Adwar and Risper Oduor. “It has been a while since we saw a mass choir this size,” announced the octogenarian but amiable MC Sammy Lui.

And as he made his first Madaraka Day speech, President Uhuru acknowledged the children. “I salute and thank the school children who have sang today. We were thoroughly entertained,” he said.

The re-introduction of the school mass choir shows a different style and pitch from former President Kibaki who preferred the Mama Lucy Kibaki Choir conspicuously absent, yesterday.

Proud to be Kenyan

The choir led by award-winning music director June Ogolla had defined national day entertainment in the last decade.

And as Ms Mbote said: “I am proud to be Kenyan,” one could not help reminisce the grand maestro of mass choirs, Mwalimu Wasonga, who composed and popularised such patriotic songs like Tushangilie Kenya, Nyayo Filosofia, and Baba Moi among others.

Earlier, pop singer Ali B from Mombasa belted tunes of his hit Maria that kept the President visibly impressed and clapped to the beat.

The President could be seen sharing a word with First Lady Margaret as they enjoyed the song.

And didn’t that red headgear and the African print dress against the warm sunny weather work so superbly, bringing out the best of the First Lady? At this rate she is making serious fashion statement.

Lilian Rotich wowed the audience with her Kalenjin gospel song Inetkei Isom Nyoetab Kaat (Forgiveness just like Jesus did) arranged along the style of veteran Emmy Kosgey’s Taunet Nelel that borrows heavily from South African reggae beats.

Sarakasi Dancers kept the audience on the edge of their seats with their breathtaking and adventurous pole dance spiced with acrobatic moves.

There was mashairi, folk music in Kalenjin traditional dance, and Mijikenda Sengenya beats from other artists who formed the day’s rich repertoire.

The motorcade carrying the First Family arrived at the Nyayo National Stadium at about 11 o’clock.

Chief of Defence Forces General Julius Karangi welcomed the First Family. But as the President was escorted to the ceremonial Land Rover to great Wananchi, the First Lady was ushered to the Presidential Dais.

The Head of State enjoyed his ride around the expansive compound amid rousing cheers from the jubilant crowed who thronged the stadium. Uhuru was in a jovial mood as he waved at the crowd.

Those in attendance included 2,500 primary school children from 26 schools in Nairobi County.

The children seated at the terraces exactly opposite the Presidential Dais were dressed in different colours forming a rhythmic pattern that sequence the National Flag. They were among thousands of Kenyans who braved the scorching mid-day sun to celebrate the Jubilee Madaraka Day.

After the lap of honour, the National Anthem was sung then the President inspected the guard of honour mounted by Kenya Defence Forces.

The troops later performed the trooping of the colours. The ceremony is borrowed from the British, which use to mark the official birthday of the nation. The colour, or the regiment’s flag, is only displayed on such occasions and the President as the Commander had the opportunity to be shown the flag.

The guard of honour comprising all Kenya’s security forces then marched past the dais in their full combat.

The ceremony was also marked by display of aerial might by the military. The airplanes cruised dangerously above the venue, some with banners with inscriptions “God Bless Kenya”.

The master of ceremony proudly remarked that the show of might would give the Al-Shabaab sleepless nights.

Then dancers and singers from different communities entertained the audience.

A group of acrobats left the audience bemused as they performed what many would consider impossibility.

Uhuru’s mother and the widow of Kenya’s first President, Ngina Kenyatta, was in a similar red outfit as that of her daughter-in-law.

In the front seats sat Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura, Deputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.

Deputy President William Ruto, who is leading a Kenyan delegation to a business meeting in Japan, could not attend. Mining Secretary Najib Balala, was, therefore, tasked to invite the President to address the nation.

But before inviting the President, he called Dr Kidero to address the nation shortly in his capacity as the head of ‘Nairobi Government’.

Security was not left to chance. Armed military officials as well as police officers with sniffer dogs formed a  blanket around the perimeter wall.The event ended at about 1.30pm.