People from all walks of life made their to Uhuru Park in Nairobi as early as 8am.Majority of them were dressed in Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) colours.Businessmen were selling whistles and tags with pictures of Opposition Leader Raila Odinga thus making it a kill.
Supporters of the opposition Cord coalition were enthusiastic about a planned Madaraka Day rally, parallel to the State celebrations to be led by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
The Opposition, which has been calling for the removal of the IEBC commissioners, confirmed on Tuesday that the rally would go on after the High Court allowed them to hold the fete at the park but warned against the violation of people’s rights and incitement to violence.
Police have been heavily deployed at the park, with about three lanes of frisking for the supporters as they stream in. At least 10 police vehicles from Nairobi have also been parked at the grounds.
The pitch of the cheering and whistling rose each time a helicopter flew past the park as the wait for Raila Odinga and his CORD co-principal Moses Wetangula continued.
It was reported that Raila Odinga and his team would fly into Uhuru Park from Afraha Stadium after joining President Kenyatta in the 53rd Madaraka celebrations, which were held outside Nairobi for the first eve.
Security remained heightened at the location in the wake of violent protests by the Opposition for the IEBC to be disbanded.