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General Waimeri has attended Jamhuri Day celebrations without fail since Kenya attained independence 57 years ago. Neither the raging sun, which was scorching by 8am, nor the threat of Covid-19 could keep Waimeri and the more than 1,500 other Kenyans from attending the celebrations, as Kenya marked 57 years since becoming a republic.
But for Waimeri, national celebrations marking Kenya's history carry particularly more special importance. As the 97-year-old narrated, in his late 20s, he took the Mau Mau oath shortly after the arrest of the Kapenguria Six. He would later go on to bravely wage war against the colonialists, alongside other Mau Mau fighters, with his group operating from Nyandarua.
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As a Mau Mau general, Waimeri led ambushes on the colonialists. Eventually, he says, the strategy worked as the colonialists abandoned their farms in favour of the safer areas like Nairobi's Muthaiga. While Waimeri and the majority of the other Kenyans in attendance trooped to the stadium before 8am, their patience was tested as they were kept waiting more than three hours. The ceremony commenced a few minutes past 11am with President Uhuru Kenyatta's arrival.
Bands such as Kayamba Africa, singer Dennis Karanja famously known as 'Denno', and the Maroon Commandos were, however, at hand to keep guests calm and entertained as they waited for the beginning of the official ceremony. Several rows remained empty, even as chiefs, police officers, and NYS officers enforced Covid-19 social distancing measures. All attendants were required to wear masks, meet the normal temperature standards, and sanitise before entering the stadium.
At the VIP dais, leaders, members of the diplomatic community and other high-level guests sat a seat away from each other. But while the celebrations had been scaled down from the 35,000 seating capacity at the Nyayo Stadium to just a little more than 1,500, the celebrations did not disappoint.
Entertainment and ceremonial military procedures took the bulk of the programme. The rest of the programme went by fast, particularly because only President Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto gave speeches. The entertainers varied their delivery, from traditional to modern songs and dances, as they chanted out messages of patriotism and pride in Kenya’s history.
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Going by the cheers and attentiveness of the crowds, the ceremonial Kenya Defense Forces' military parade, which went on for about half an hour, was a crowd favourite.
