The 54th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kasarani Sports Centre was marked by empty seats as the event recorded low turnout yesterday.
The event, presided by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto failed to kick off at the scheduled 10 am as organizers waited for more people to attend.
Unlike other celebrations where the stadium filled to the brim, Jamhuri Day in 2017 lacked the glamour of Kenyans celebrating. The recent inauguration of President Uhuru on November 28 in the same venue tells the difference in attendance of both functions
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As at 11:15am, the function had not begun. President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at the stadium a few minutes to noon and empty seats could be seen even when the President arrived at the venue
The most notable figure, who had made his way to the Kasarani Stadium at the time, was Chief Justice David Maraga.
A top agenda expected to dominate President Kenyatta’s speech is integration among Kenyans, especially during this time, when Kenyans are divided along political and ethnic lines.
The celebrations happed the same day as the recently postponed swearing-in of Raila. Raila had vowed to assume office as the Peoples’ President but NASA informed supporters of the postponement on Sunday, December 10.
The state had invited National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga and other NASA principals and opposition leaders to the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
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