Kenya prepares for party of the decade

Members of the armed forces gather at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Sunday to rehearse for the big party on Friday when the new constitution will be officially unveiled. They are scheduled to put up a show not seen in the country since Kenya gained independence in 1963. Photo/WILLIAM OERI

By PATRICK MAYOYO pmayoyo@ke.nationmedia.com and FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, August 22 2010 at 22:30

General Jeremiah Kianga on Sunday promised that this Friday the armed forces would put up a military show not seen in Kenya since 1964.

As part of the ceremony to mark the signing of the new constitution by President Kibaki on that day, the military and other disciplined forces were on Sunday rehearsing for a special parade. The armed forces brought out their soldiers, tanks, planes and even boats in a dress rehearsal for the state function.

Speaking at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Sunday during the rehearsals, Gen Kianga, the military boss, said officers and soldiers would mount the kind of parade last seen when Kenya became a republic. “The only generation that mounted a parade like this was on December 12, 1964. Many would have liked to do this, but the opportunity has fallen on you,” he told personnel from the forces during rehearsals.

Unlike other public holidays when only the first part of the national anthem is played, the military chief ordered that the national anthem be played in full. “Wherever you will be, in tanks, on the parade, or elsewhere, sing the three stanzas of the national anthem knowing the words have a meaning within all of us,” he told the soldiers.

Describing the parade as “a special one,” Gen Kianga said it would symbolise the commitment to a better Kenya. Speaking to journalists he said: “We’re ready to show Kenyans that it will be an important day and we shall put our best foot forward. We’re over 40 years now as a country and Kenyans have decided we want a rebirth. There are things in the society they want changed and we want to be part of that change.”

Elsewhere, government preparations were in top gear with invitations already sent to several heads of state and government, diplomats and other dignitaries. Government officials were not at this stage giving the full guest list, but East African heads of state have been invited, as have the members of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities who helped broker an agreement between the Party of National Unity and Orange Democratic Movement, ending the political crisis after the disputed 2007 General Election.

They include former UN secretary General Kofi Annan, Mrs Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela and former presidents Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique. Dr Aziz Mlima, a personal assistant to Mr Mkapa, confirmed that the former Tanzanian leader will be attending. The others could not be reached to confirm.

A government official conversant with protocol matters who did not want to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media said also expected are Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.

Invited eminent persons

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mr Thuita Mwangi, confirmed that they had invited the Panel of Eminent African Personalities and Heads of State and Government from the region and other parts of the world. A team of VIP protection security officers from the General Service Unit have been put on stand-by in readiness for the arrival of dignitaries.

The officers from L and G company will serve as bodyguard and drivers for the VIPs. Leading hotels in Nairobi have been reserved for visitors coming for the big event expected to start arriving in the country on Wednesday. Around these hotels and the city in general, security has been stepped up.

On Sunday, Kenyans had a glimpse of what will happen next Friday from military rehearsals. The military put on display fighter jets, tanks, helicopters, cargo carriers, telecommunication equipment and other weaponry not seen in public for years. Those involved in the march-past parade included soldiers from Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Airforce, regular police, Administration Police, Forest Guards and KWS rangers as well as the National Youth Service.

Apart from the march-past parade, there was a air display by jet-fighters, helicopters and cargo planes. Two of the helicopters had banners saying “Kenya Mpya” and “God Bless Kenya.” Then there was a rehearsal for the 21-gun salute expected after President Kibaki signs the new constitution into law.

On Sunday, it was not clear if President Obama will be sending a senior US official to the historic occasion after he paid a tribute to Kenyans for endorsing the new constitution in a letter to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The American President, whose father was a Kenyan, described the successful referendum as “a proud moment in Kenya’s history” and said he hoped it would help strengthen democratic institutions and boost reconciliation efforts.

In June, US Vice-President Joe Biden, was in the country and said a new constitution would lead to a more stable Kenya which would, in turn, make it easier for the country to benefit from significant US grants and investments.

On Friday, two people went to court in a bid to block the proclamation of the new constitution. Ms Mary Ariviza, an agent for ‘No’, and Mr Oketch Mondoh, went to the dispute court to stop the August 27 ceremony. The two want an audit of the electronic tallying system to determine its reliability and a fresh recount of all votes.

As preparations for the proclamation of the new constitution intensified President Kibaki said the passage of the new constitution was Kenyans big reward for the country’s first President Jomo Kenyatta. President Kibaki, who led Kenyans in commemorating the 32nd anniversary since the death of the nation’s founding father, said the former head of state’s dream of a prosperous country would be realised with the enactment of a new constitution.