President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to preside over the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) consecration, presentation, and trooping of colours by the 21 Battalion, the Kenya Rifles on Friday, July 29.
The military event is set to take place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex – Lang’ata.
Moreover, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) announced the temporary closure of the Wilson Airport from 10 am to 4 pm to pave way for the KDF Ceremony.
The colors, according to the military stands for the honour accorded to the Unit or Base. Thence, it is a well-guarded and treasured possession. Likewise, its loss might lead to the disbandment of a Unit or the Base
Similarly, when a Unit is selected to troop its Colour, it becomes an honour to the Regiment as it is now able to showcase its Colour in a ceremony known as “Trooping of Colour”.
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The Colours represent the spirit of the Regiment and the exemplary service performed by a specific battalion.
Besides, according to KDF, the consecration and presentation of the Unit’s Colours to the Battalion mark the final milestone in its formation.
Furthermore, the Presidential Colour is trooped when a Unit or Base performs a national ceremony in which the Commander-in-Chief or Head State of a foreign Country is honoured with a military parade known as Guard of Honour.
The Regimental Colour is presented to a Unit or Base at the same time with the Presidential Colour and it is displayed whenever the Unit or the Base performs a ceremony for General Officers who are accorded Half Guard Parades whenever they pay a courtesy visit.
Nonetheless, during the KDF function, both presidential and regimental colours are carried by a commissioned officer and escorted by two armed senior non-commissioned officers.
The practice of “Trooping the Colour” originated in 17th century England whereby the Queen’s Colour, a symbol of sovereignty, would be showcased in an elaborate ceremony.
However, after independence, the presidential and regimental colours replaced those of the Queen.