Kenya’s 56th birthday was a picture of pageantry and splendour as thousands of Kenyans thronged Nyayo Stadium for the celebrations.

Donning the national colours of red, black, green and white, Kenyans, who started streaming into the venue at 6am, braved the scotching sun to take part in the celebrations.

The trooping of the colour, which is a military tradition in honour of a formation, was led by the Laikipia Airbase.

Among the first top leaders to arrive was former Prime Minister Raila Odinga followed by Deputy President William Ruto, who also doubled as the day’s master of ceremonies. He was accompanied by his wife Rachel.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who was the special guest in the cerebrations made her way in and at 10:06am. First Lady Margaret Kenyatta arrived shortly before the President.

President Uhuru Kenyatta entered the stadium on a ceremonial land rover and inspected a parade mounted by Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy and Kenya Army.

Kenya Airforce, Laikipia Airbase and their ground counterparts paraded with marching bands, field performance by the army ceremonial squadron including a flypast Kenya Air Force aircraft ─ conquering the air with the indomitable F-5 fighter jets.

Kenya Air Force also displayed their prowess as their planes cruised the skies to display their skills in air attacks, some with banners with inscriptions “God Bless Kenya.”

“What a stunning display of air manoeuvre. It is the kind of show worth attending every year,” said Victor Wainaina, a businessman from Nyeri County, who attended the celebrations.

Some 750 pupils from several primary schools in Nairobi opened the entertained session. Clad in white T-shirts and pair of shorts, they displayed a beautiful performance that captured the mood of the day.

First they formed Kenya’s map, then a “Kenya at 56 before closing with the word Handshake which symbolised Uhuru and Raila’s unity pact on March 9, 2018.

Entertainment groups were limited to four, with the highlight being two children aged eight and nine, who recited a poem on corruption and the need to blow the whistle on looters.

Unlike in previous functions, there were no speeches from politicians. Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who is facing corruption charges, did not attend.

In his less than 10 minutes speech, Ruto urged Kenyans to shun divisive politics.

“We are assembled here today as a people inspired by a strong foundation of unity. We should build bridges of unity and togetherness so that we can eliminate hate, negative ethnicity and division,” Ruto said before inviting Barbados Prime Minister.

Chief Justice David Maraga appeared to have made good his threat to boycott key State functions over what he claimed not being accorded the respect his office deserves during such functions.

Nasa co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi  also attended the function.