Photo/JENNIFER MUIRURI/NATION Comedian Eric Omondi entertains the crowd at the 48th Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on December 12, 2011.

Security was tight as Kenyan’s marked Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday.
Unlike Mashujaa Day which was interrupted by rain, the weather was calm and favourable.
Security personnel, some with sniffer dogs kept vigil inside and outside the stadium. (NTV VIDEO: Jamhuri Day celebrations full of colour)
The commemoration of the attainment of independence came at a time the Kenya Defence Forces are battling the al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
The rag-tag militia has also been involved in retaliatory attacks in Kenya using grenades. 
Reports that self-confessed Al-Shabaab member Elgiva Bwire who was sentenced after confessing to being behind an attack in Nairobi had attended the Mashujaa Day celebrations in October prompted police to heighten security.
Those who attended the celebrations were thoroughly screened and gates locked immediately President Kibaki arrived at 11am.
To show its military prowess, the third battalion of the Kenya Rifles — the country’s oldest, having been formed in 1888 and participated in the Second World War — performed trooping of the colour.

Guests were also entertained by the military parade and a fly past by the Kenya Air Force. There were, however, no jets as in previous celebrations.
Eliminate Al-Shabaab
The first Puma Plane in the fly past carried a huge banner inscribed “Kiboko Yao,” which the master of ceremony said showed KDF’s determination to eliminate Al-Shabaab.
The other plane celebrated Kenya’s 48th Jamhuri with a banner, “Hongera Kenya” (Congratulations Kenya).
Comedian Eric Omondi of the popular NTV show, Churchill Live, and his brother Fred thrilled guests with their performance as did musicians Lucy Wangechi and Mumbi Kigwe. (SEE IN PICTURES: Kenya's 48th Jamhuri Day)
Youthful gospel singers BMF, Senende Secondary School from Western, the State House Choir — sponsored by First Lady Lucy Kibaki — and the Salvation Army also featured.
In their opening prayers Catholic Bishop Alfred Rotich and Muslim cleric Rajab Athman, both of the KDF, asked God to protect colleagues fighting Al-Shabaab in Somalia and for the mission’s success.