Military in top gear ahead of fete

By CYRUS OMBATI

The military promises the best parade ever at promulgation of the new Constitution on Friday.

The Chief of General Staff General Jeremiah Kianga spent hours at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Sunday, as he oversaw the final preparations.

He later addressed joint personnel who will participate in the event in which the armed forces will also display its ware.

"We will have a colourful and different parade on that day. The only time we had a similar one was on December 12, 1963," he said.

The Chief of General Staff General Jeremiah Kianga said on Sunday armed forces are preparing for a historic parade that will be bigger than the one witnessed at Independence in 1963. [PHOTO: collins kweyu/STANDARD]

The preparations went ahead despite the fact that many Kenyans are waiting with baited breath to hear what the Constitutional Dispute Resolution Court will say about a petition challenging the outcome of the referendum seeking to block the promulgation of the new Constitution.

colourful parade

Last week, the court dismissed another case filed by politician Nazlin Omar saying it had no grounds to warrant a hearing.

Ms Mary Ariviza filed the case in the court and a separate one at the High Court.

Uhuru Park was a sight to behold yesterday as the military conducted a colourful parade under the watchful eye of the army chief.

And the preparations were not complete without the 21-gun salute. Onlookers who had gathered to watch the parade scampered in fear when the military fired cannons 21 times.

Military tanks rolled in the park as more than 20 fighter jets whizzed over the Nairobi skyline.

And when Kenya’s most decorated soldier stepped up to inspect the guard of honour, officers clutched their rifles and remained motionless as parade commander barked orders.

1,000 to parade

Kianga led those present in singing the National Anthem at the park as part of the rehearsals.

He asked those who will be present at the event to give it their best shot.

A record 1,000 joint armed forces will participate in the parades whose scale was witnessed only once before.

The General Service Unit will deploy its elite guards from G and L companies to provide security to cope with the large number of people expected at Uhuru Park.

Officers will use police dogs to ensure security and horses to control the large crowd.

"We do not want what happened in 2002 when President Kibaki was inaugurated to happen here. That is why security has been given priority," said a senior security officer.