It is public knowledge that Kenyans do not attend national events, unless there is a lot of food beer and some sort of bribes. In December 2017, just days after President Uhuru Kenyatta had been sworn in for his second term, he arrived in an empty Kasarani Stadium for the Jamhuri Day Celebrations.
In Kenya, especially in Nairobi, National Holidays are viewed as a day to rest and binge on cheap alcohol. A few people attended the Labour Day Celebrations at Uhuru Park on 1st May.
But things are so different in Narok County, the venue of this year’s Madaraka Day Celebrations. Narok County is dominated by the Masais, a community whose rich culture has withstood the test of time and civilization. Masais are known for their Pastoral lifestyle and their iconic Red Shukas.
What we probably didn’t know is that these people are very patriotic. They attended the Madaraka Day Celebrations in huge numbers never seen in recent times.
The mood at Narok Stadium ahead of #MadarakaDay celebration on June 1st#MaasaiCulture pic.twitter.com/e4yhxpGXw4
— ♈ Ole Karia Lemaiyian KË 🇰🇪 (@kariasolomon92) May 30, 2019
Pictures shared on social media showed some residents arriving at Narok Stadium on Friday night, a day before the celebrations that will be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Narok Stadium in full capacity as Kenyans turn up for this years’ #MadarakaDay celebrations. #TusongeMbelePamoja pic.twitter.com/MaWa2pM394
— Ministry of Interior (@InteriorKE) June 1, 2019
The mighty morans rehearse ahead of tomorrow's Madaraka Day celebrations in Narok stadium. Culture and heritage to be showcased, courtesy of the progressive 2010 constitution. You can't miss this good Kenyans pic.twitter.com/q7sXIX95ji
— Julius. Mungatia@gmail.com (@julius_mungatia) May 31, 2019
Large crowds of people were pictured at the stadium through the night and early Saturday, some with their children, waiting for the national event to begin.
School children, traditional dancers are all set to bring you the best of entertainment from Narok Stadium #MadarakaDay pic.twitter.com/XhwijbWILY
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 1, 2019
All the terraces reserved for the public were full by 4 AM on Saturday. Some people have suggested that these group could be idle, but it should be noted that Narok is one of the richest counties in Kenya and a Masai can walk for 200 kilometres just in search of greener pastures.