Uhuru ‘goes East’ with ceremonial car

 Monday, June 2, 2014 

 
President Uhuru Kenyatta in the new Toyota Land Cruiser ceremonial car at the Nyayo Stadium on June 1, 2014. The traditional Land Rover which has been used since indepedence is said to have been retired. PHOTO/EVANS HABIL  NATION

In Summary

• This was a departure from the past where, since independence, the ceremonial car has always been a Land Rover.
• The Land Cruiser was complete with the Court of Arms and the ‘C in C’ insignia, signifying the status of the occupant who is the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.
• Kenyans reacted to this new development with some suggesting that it was an indication of the heightened security concerns in the country following recent terror attacks.

By MARTIN KINYANJUI
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During the 2014 Madaraka Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenyans were taken by surprise when President Uhuru Kenyatta drove in using a new ceremonial car.

The President, for the first time, used an open Toyota Land Cruiser which had a high bullet proof glass on the sides.

This was a departure from the past where, since independence, the ceremonial car has always been a Land Rover.

The Land Cruiser was complete with the Court of Arms and the ‘C in C’ insignia, signifying the status of the occupant who is the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

It also had the National and Presidential flags.

At the same time, the President’s security detail used powerful Toyota vehicles. An armoured vehicle was also in the entourage.

Kenyans reacted to this new development with some suggesting that it was an indication of the heightened security concerns in the country following recent terror attacks.

'GOING EAST'

Others intimated that this was a indication of the government’s move to the East.

The Land Cruiser is a Japanese-made car while the Land Rover is from Britain.

Several Kenyans took to Twitter to express their reactions to the new development.

George Mwangi ‏tweeting @geemwangi said, ‘Uhuru's Land Cruiser is not just a ceremonial car, it’s a … loud message to some people.’

Ekuru Aukot ‏tweeting @EAukot reacted: ‘Interesting that the president's motorcade was all East! Even the ceremonial car was a Toyota.’

Whuzzjo ‏@whuzzjo said: ‘Even the ceremonial car is now a Toyota Land Cruiser, and the VXs look like the preferred cars.’

This ceremonial Land Rover is said to have been retired. PHOTO/FILE/JENNIFER MUIRURI

ARMOURED VEHICLES

Throughout the ceremony, security officers could be seen atop one of the armoured vehicles which was stationed a few meters from the presidential dais. It was clear that the security forces were not leaving anything to chance.

As the President went round the stadium in the ceremonial car, those present seemed to struggle to have a view of him as he waved from within the jungle green Toyota Land Cruiser.

Security was tight in the stadium with hawkers who normally do brisk business on such occasions not being allowed to do it this time.

Sunday’s development may be an indication of the end of an era for the Land Rover.

The Land Rover is said to have been retired after 50 years of use by previous Kenyan presidents.

At the same time, there was a conspicuous absence of the German-made Mercedes vehicles and in their place were the Toyota cars.