All is set for the 53rd anniversary of Kenya’s self-rule at the Afraha Stadium where more than 30,000 people are expected to attend the historic celebrations. For the first time ever, the Madaraka celebrations will be held outside Nairobi.
Contracted workers have been on the rush to complete final touches at the Afraha Stadium. School choirs have also been doing their practice on ground, fine-tuning their songs thus offering the workers a welcome choral relief.
There were thuds from well-choreographed boots of National Police Service and National Youth Service (NYS) teams rehearsing in the stadium, besides sounds of military helicopter blades from Kenya Defence Forces who were rehearsing displays they will unleash during the celebrations on the usually tranquil skies above Nakuru Town.
By Monday evening, security agents drawn from various police units had secured the Afraha Stadium and surrounding areas.Local Security team and the Presidential Escort Unit(PEU) officers are partnering to ensure the area is safe ahead of the Madaraka Celebrations.
Last week, a team from State House, Nairobi, inspected the stadium and was appraised on measures taken to receive President Kenyatta and other dignitaries.
Local artists were busy producing paintings and drawings of the President and his deputy William Ruto, complete with their election campaign slogans and other quotes.A spot check in local hotels revealed that visitors from outside Nakuru had already booked in.Many hotel owners interviewed anticipated increased business during and after the celebrations.
Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has also urged the opposition Cord members to shelf the idea of holding their celebrations at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.Roads leading to the Afraha Stadium have also received a facelift whereas Nakuru County government has financed the planting of grass and flowers along key streets and roads in Nakuru Town.
The celebrations will mark President Kenyatta’s sixth visit to Nakuru County since the beginning of the year.