Nairobi hosts low key Madaraka day celebrations

Nairobi County Commissioner Geoffrey Kigodi and his deputy Ibrahim Abdi ( left ) solutes to the National Anthem at Starehe grounds as MP Maina Kamanda looks on during Madaraka day celebrations at Starehe Grounds Nairobi 01/06/16 PHOTO MOSES OMUSULA

Madaraka Day celebrations were without the usual pomp and colour in Nairobi yesterday.

Instead of Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi's 53rd Madaraka Day celebrations were held at Starehe Constituency's Pumwani grounds with just a few hundred people attending.

There were no traffic jams in the roads leading to the grounds and only two Member of Parliament showed up for the low-key event.

The number of area chiefs seemed to be more than that of police officers, most were not even armed.

As usual, celebrations started after hours of waiting as any other national holiday celebrations (11:14am) when the guest of honour, area MP Maina Kamanda arrived.

Unlike during past celebrations, there were no thrilling air shows by Kenya Airforce that usually include parachuters and fighter jets.

County Social Development Officer Caroline Leitura was the Mistress of the Ceremony and to the best of her ability; she tried to bring life to the event, of course with the help of invited school performers.

Ngara Girls and Starehe Boys were the top performers. Since no big artiste was invited, it was a relief when Starehe Boys band performed Sauti Sol's hit song "Unconditionally Bae" which excited the crowd.

However, it was Ngara Girls that won the day. The Nancy Mutai-led girls' school performed a traditional Mijikenda dance that involves shaking of waist which made older women scream their lungs out with excitement.