CDF Charles Kahariri Leads Military Parade, Air Show In Bungoma Ahead Of Madaraka Day Celebrations

• Bungoma residents witnessed a grand display of military presence as preparations for the Madaraka Day celebrations took place at the new Masinde Muliro Stadium
• The county is hosting the event marking 61 years of Kenya's self-rule, and the military and organising teams have exerted extensive efforts to ensure its success
• New Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, along with other top military officials, oversaw a dress rehearsal featuring a military parade and an air show
• Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka, who joined Kahariri on the main dais, highlighted the excitement and anticipation in the community for the national festivities on June 1

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Bungoma - Residents of Bungoma have gotten a taste of the breathtaking presence of military personnel in their midst.

The county is set to host Madaraka Day celebrations as the country commemorates 61 years since Kenya attained self-rule.

Like previous events, the military and other organising teams have pulled out all the stops to ensure the event's success at the new Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi.

Why is Kahariri in Bungoma

Ahead of the fete, the new Chief of Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, made his presence known alongside other top military brass.

Known for their precision, the Kenya Defence Forces conducted a dress rehearsal to ensure everything would run according to plan.

Kahariri rode into the stadium while on the commander-in-chief's ceremonial car before stopping for the national anthem.

He proceeded to the main dias, where Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka and other top county officials joined him.

After a grand parade, the guests were treated to a quick march by various disciplined forces before they had an air shop by the Kenya Airforce.

"A thrilling military parade, led by the new Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Charles Kahariri, takes place at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi. Alongside local leaders and county officials, we witnessed the final dress rehearsals and Air shows ahead of the June 1st Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma. The event has drawn significant attention as the community eagerly anticipates the upcoming National festivities," wrote Lusaka.

Emotional moment as Ruto honours Ogolla

On Wednesday, May 15, President William Ruto presided over the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) graduates pass-out parade at Moi Barracks in Eldoret.

During the ceremony, emotions ran high as Ruto led the graduates in honouring the former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla.

Before commencing his speech, Ruto asked the new KDF officers to join him in a one-minute silence to honour CDF Ogolla and other soldiers who died in a chopper crash.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke