This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
On October 20, 2019, thousands of Kenyans flocked to the refurbished Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa to celebrate the 55th Mashujaa Day.
Security personnel were stationed at strategic areas around the park, and the Likoni main gate was opened at 5am to accommodate the large crowds.
Due to the high attendance, all public vehicles were barred from accessing the venue, with only those holding special passes granted entry.
The Kenya Navy showcased its prowess with a 21-gun salute and a military ocean parade, a first since independence.
Leaders arriving for the celebrations received a warm welcome from the crowd, while traders affected by the government's directive to haul cargo via the standard gauge railway line from the Mombasa port to Nairobi held a parallel function at Tononoka grounds.
At the entrance, Nation Media Group gave away free copies of the Sunday Nation to every person entering the Mashujaa Day venue, which featured a special 48-page pull-out on Kenyan heroes and heroines.
" Sunday Nation has provided us with a detailed copy on our heroes and heroines from different sectors. It is educative and timely for the day," said Juma Said, a Mombasa resident.
