Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, February 19, made a surprise visit to a cultural event in Diani, Kwale County.
The annual event is known as the Diani Regatta Ngalawa festival and seeks to celebrate and showcase coastal traditional culture.
Uhuru in his brief appearance feted the winner of the festival and interacted with the event organizers.
The main event at the festival is boat racing using canoes with outriggers dug out of giant mango trees
Hassan Juma was the winner of the 2023 canoe racing competition and was privileged to be handed the trophy by the former president.
“Congratulations on the nice work,” Uhuru told Hassan while handing him the trophy.
The former Head of State retreated to Safari Beach Hotel after giving out the award and posing for photos with Hassan and the event organisers.
This was Uhuru’s first public appearance since addressing a public rally in Kisumu on February 11, 2023.
Apart from canoe racing, the Diana Regatta Ngalawa festival has other hosts of cultural festivities.
During the festival, locals sell their handicrafts, including woven mats, hats, baskets, and lessos (traditional wraps) amongst others.
The money raised during the sale is distributed to women groups in the region to empower them economically.
There is also a modelling event where the models are judged on their choice of colour combination and the elegance of their outfits.
Lastly, the event is graced with traditional Kenyan songs and dance as well as traditional food and spices.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
