Speaking before of the major event on Citizen TV, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said the figure is on the low side because no infrastructure development is taking place.
“On this event it’s more of paying allowances to those who will come to sing, paying for a bit of sprucing roughly it will be between 60 to 70 million shillings,” Kibicho said.
At least 30,000 people were scheduled to attend the feast, which will serve as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s final national celebrations at the Uhuru Gardens.
“It is not an invite only and therefore each and every Kenyan is most welcome to come and celebrate. The park has a 30,000 sitting capacity and therefore I am confident that it will accommodate all those who would love to be at the venue,” Kibicho said.
Kibicho stated that the military will take center stage at this year’s Madaraka Day, showing what the military does best as they bid farewell to their Commander in Chief, President Kenyatta.
“There will be a lot of showcasing of military wear, hardware of the military something that does not happen but it will because they will have to say goodbye to their commander in chief but we will also have the usual cultural display and a lot of happiness in our brand-new grounds that will also be used to host such events in the future,” Kibicho said.
Madaraka Day was celebrated in grand style, with a modest ceremony conducted at the statehouse prior to the main event at the Uhuru Gardens.
President Kenyatta was accompanied by all cabinet secretaries in his government, Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, and senior Statehouse personnel for the final celebration of his regime.
However, Deputy President William Ruto was not present in the Statehouse, which is not unusual given that the two leaders have not been reading from the same script.
All of the leaders wore a yellow sash to the little ceremony, which began with prayers from the Attorney General.
“This one looks different from the ones am used to, but I want to say thank you. We will look forward for all of us having a great day. It will be my last Madaraka as president,” President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta added that he is certain that in the last ten years as the first in command, he has led the nation through a significant transformation, which he credits to his cabinet team.
“Am confident we have laid a firm foundation for those who shall come after to continue and to build a bigger brighter and more prosperous Kenya,” he said.
The President thanked the people for granting him two terms in office since joining the Jubilee Party in 2013.
“Yangu ni kusema asante sana kwa kazi na mungu azidi kuwabariki na kubariki Kenya. (Mine is to say thank you for giving me this work and may God continue to bless you and bless Kenya),”stated President Kenyatta.