Live blog: Kenyans celebrate Mashujaa Day in Kitui

This year's Mashujaa Day celebrations ends with the Kenyan and East African Community national anthems.

President William Ruto confers Raila posthumously with Kenya’s highest national civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH).

On behalf of a grateful nation, and through the authority vested in me as President, I have today posthumously conferred upon the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga the highest honour of the Republic, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.).

President William Ruto starts his speech by leading Kenyans in observing a moment of silence in honour of the late Raila Odinga.

The first lesson that Baba taught us is to put nation above self. Time and again he reminded us that no disagreement is greater than our unity. No ambition is greater than our peace and no personal interest is higher than the welfare of our nation. 

When Raila declared ‘Kibaki tosha’ in 2002, it was not because he was unaware of where Kibaki came from. It was because he saw Kenya beyond ethnicity.

That is the measure of a man’s greatness.

As we emerge from a week of profound sorrow and reflection, and as the nation continues to observe the seven days of mourning on the passing of our former Prime Minister, it is both fitting and worthy that we anchor this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in the extraordinary and consequential life of our departed legend, the Right Honourable Odinga.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye conveys Senegal’s heartfelt condolences after the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

I take this opportunity to renew the heartfelt condolences of the people of Senegal to the brotherly people of Kenya on the passing of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. I pay tribute to the memory of the departed and express my deep compassion to President Ruto, his family and the people of Kenya. May his soul rest in peace.

I am here because I am deeply committed to the rememberance of our heroes. Our fellow country men suffered unspeakable repression. We can not forget this horrors, nor the sorrows of our founding heros, they must be celebrated.

We cannot forget the sacrifice of our national liberation heroes and founding fathers of our nations. The full history must be recalled. These variant sons and daughters of Africa must be celebrated because celebration is an educational tool in the transmission of our values and virtues.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki:

On this Mashujaa Hero's day to remember, we continue to remember the many people have sacrificed their time, their lives and their comfort for our freedom, and even at this time, as we continue to mourn the departure of our former Prime Minister, one of the greatest Kenyans to ever walk on our soil. We remember many more those who have gone before us for selflessly protecting our sovereignty, defending our dignity and emancipating the black person from colonial domination, for expanding our political rights and freedom and expanding and perfecting our democracy. What remains is now to strengthen the foundations of our country, and perfect the economic well being of the people of our country.

President William Ruto inspects the guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui during the Mashujaa Day celebrations.

The Mashujaa Day celebrations officially begin with both the Kenyan and East African Community National Anthems.

President William Ruto arrives at the Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County ahead of the start of the Mashujaa celebrations.

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is the chief guest, arrives at the Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County ahead of the start of the Mashujaa celebrations.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki welcomes him.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki arrives at the Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County ahead of the start of the Mashujaa celebrations.

Earlier, the Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui was transformed and draped in the national colours ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations.

Thousands of Kenyans waving the national flag have already arrived at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County amid songs and dance ahead of the Mashujaa celebrations.