Military to bid commander Uhuru bye today
By Zadock.Aangira, September 9, 2022
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is today expected to bid farewell to outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) as the Commander in Chief, just four days before the official handing over to President-elect William Samoei Ruto.
According to the Department of Defence (DoD), the ceremony is in line with military traditions and customs of holding farewell ceremonies for outgoing presidents, who are also Commanders-in-Chief of the Forces. It will be the third such ceremony after President Daniel Arap Moi’s in 2002 and Mwai Kibaki’s in March 2013.
Giving the C-in-C his last hurrah signifies an end to the relationship between the commander and the troops he commanded. They will honour him and give him gifts at a special luncheon. Also, they will grant him salutes before his presidential standard is lowered at next week’s event at Kasarani, Nairobi.
This is among the final functions attended by an outgoing president before the official handing over to a successor.
President Ruto is expected to be sworn in next Tuesday, and thereafter unveil his Cabinet, following the Supreme Court’s judgment on Monday upholding his win. The win had earlier been challenged by the top challenger and Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
Today’s farewell parade is expected to start at 8 am, led by the Chief of Defence Forces, General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, among other officers.
It will be held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata, Nairobi, and later at the DoD headquarters.
“The event will thereafter proceed for the Pulling Out of the outgoing Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces in the afternoon at Defence Headquarters, Hurlingham, Nairobi,” said the DoD yesterday.