61 years of independence: Madaraka Day in pictures

Thousands of Kenyans have arrived at the Masinde Muliro Stadium Kandunyi in Bungoma County ahead of the Madaraka Day Celebrations.

By 6:30 am, hundreds of Bungoma residents and guests thronged to the stadium, nearly filling it to capacity. 

Security was heightened with police officers manning various points of entry and maintaining order. 

President William Ruto is expected to lead the country in marking the 61st Madaraka Day fete, with this year's theme being Agriculture and Food Security.

Bungoma residents express their expectations ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations at Masinde Muliro Stadium#MadarakaDay #Kenyaat61 pic.twitter.com/Dse98WkHxx

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This is the first time the event is being held in Bungoma, in line with the government's decision to devolve national events to counties.

Residents are hopeful that the President will address key issues in the region among them agriculture and youth unemployment.

Some members of the public were locked out of the stadium as early as 7.30am, as it filled to capacity. 

The mood is anticipatory, despite the harsh economic times.