Occasions Where Uhuru, Moi, Jomo Kenyatta And Ruto Appeared In Public Event With Military Outfit

There is a lot to remember about the 2018 Jamhuri Day celebrations held at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.The Trooping of the Colour was led by the 17th Battalion Kenya Rifles and the colours are venerated by officers and soldiers of all ranks, second to the sovereign.The tradition practised by British and Commonwealth armies dates back to the 17th century.

Regiment’s colours, or flags, were historically used as rallying points on battlefields with military ensigns slowly marching the colours between the soldiers’ ranks.A military unit colours embody its spirit and service, as well as its fallen soldiers.On a battlefield, the greatest shame, or the greatest glory is considered to be the capture of an enemy colour.

Every battalion “troops” or marches its colours through the ranks so that everyone can see that the colours are intact before and after every battle although the practice is today largely ceremonial.

The Red Tunic donned by the former President Uhuru was also worn by former Presidents Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi although Mwai Kibaki is not known to have worn military uniform.

This is a lifestyle Kenyatta had mastered during his reign, a regular practice he had both in State House and down at his Gatundu home where he would laugh away his free time.

From the legendary composer and choir director Arthur Kemoli to the celebrated Muungano National Choir director Boniface Mghanga, songs like Tawala Kenya, Fimbo ya Nyayo and Fuata Nyayo epitomised Moi’s rule, dominating the airwaves and tantalising crowds wherever Moi went. Popular comedy group, Vitimbi was a permanent fixture wherever the big man went.

Jomo Kenyatta appeared in public wearing the red tunic uniform in 1971 while his predecessor Moi donned the same during the 1980 Jamhuri Day celebrations.

More than any other Kenyan president, Daniel Moi loved music, comedy and humour.He seemed to have borrowed most of this from his predecessor, President Jomo Kenyatta.Little of that can be associated with Kenya’s third president Mwai Kibaki.It is a narrative around lifestyle and culture; from music, art, dressing style and social public wit that separated Kibaki’s leadership style from the former two.

Moi always carried his symbolic rungu, otherwise referred to as fimbo ya Nyayo. The founding father never left his fly whisk, his symbol of power. Kibaki never had any of these.

Back then, the former President Uhuru Kenyatta showed up at Nyayo National Stadium for the 55th Jamhuri Day wearing the full Kenya Army Ceremonial Outfit.According to a communication by State House, Uhuru donned the Red Tunic in line with “Trooping of the Colour ceremony which was held during the celebrations.Being the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, Uhuru had to wear the Red Tunic uniform complete with a ceremonial sword to preside over the event.

Unlike other presidents, William has not yet been seen wearing military garb.However, while serving as vice president, he would often wear a uniform akin to that of a security guard when hosting dancers from the esteemed FBI dance troupe.

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https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/35379-president-uhuru-dons-ceremonial-military-uniform-jamhuri-day?amp=1&page=130

https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/dn2/the-president-and-his-uniform-105076

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