Yesterday’s Mashujaa Day fete at the historic Uhuru Gardens was a series of many firsts. From mesmerising displays by roller skaters, singers, and dancers; to dignified attendance by Azimio principal Kalonzo Musyoka and the ebullient Miguna Miguma.

Although President William Ruto has been a regular feature in similar events, having been the Deputy President for the past 10 years, the 59th Mashujaa Day celebrations held on Thursday at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi were the first to feature him as the Head of State.

The October 20 celebrations honour the country’s past and present heroes. The fete made a return to the city after the previous administration, led by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, took it to the counties to give more Kenyans a taste of the revelry.

Ruto used the occasion at length to lay the ground for what he intends to deliver in his first term in office. Although the day’s popularity with city dwellers appeared to have waned, as it was not well attended at the newly refurbished venue, Ruto took time to spell out his agenda as he praised independence heroes. “People of all walks of life: subsistence farmers and traders, clerks and former soldiers, teachers and their learners, preachers and their congregants, drivers, cooks and farm workers ran away to the forest, armed with nothing but the conviction that a more just way of life is possible,” he said.

From early in the morning, Kenyans streamed to the venue where Uhuru presided his last public holiday on June 1, during Madaraka Day celebrations.

Ruto arrived at 11.10am accompanied by his wife Rachel, and made a trip around the stadium before inspecting a guard of honour mounted by Kenya Defence Forces.

He was then ushered to the podium by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who had arrived 15 minutes earlier accompanied by his wife Dorcas.

Although the event was largely snubbed by Uhuru and opposition figures, former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, a notable member of the Azimio coalition, attended. He joined ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance figures led by Musalia Mudavadi, the designated Prime Cabinet Secretary and nominee CSs. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Chief Justice Martha Koome were also present.

Under the midday sun, diverse groups of entertainers displayed their skills — from roller-skating to dancing, to singing.  This time, the organisers beamed videos of heroic performances by Kenya’s world-beating. Marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge’s recent glorious race in Berlin, which resulted in another feather to his cap; Ferdinand Omanyala’s sprinting prowess; and Hellen Obiri’s sensational runs, were among the highlights. 

Before the event kicked off officially, exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna made a grand entry just hours after arriving in the country after five years away in Canada. He had been denied entry on several occasions owing to his role in the “swearing-in” of Raila Odinga as the People’s President in January 2018. 

Ruto defeated Raila in the August 9 presidential election and Miguna took advantage of Ruto’s promise to allow him back home.

Miguna later attended a luncheon at the State House.

This time, DP Gachagua stuck to his written speech, avoiding the off-the-cuff remarks he is more comfortable with. “It’s time to deliver; we can’t afford to waste a single minute. Kenyans are suffering … it’s time to work,” he said.

When he addressed the occasion, Ruto spent most of the time spelling out what he will do in agriculture, housing, access to credit, universal health care, education and rule of law.