President William Ruto has arrived at Kwale County Stadium to preside over the 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The Sh450 million stadium has a capacity of 10,000.
Thousands of Kenyans began arriving at the stadium as early as 5 am.
The citizens rose in uproar after Ruto's arrival. Security has been tightened in and around the stadium, with officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service deployed from Kombani to Kwale town.
Ruto is accompanied by his wife Rachel Ruto, Deputy President-designate, Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Kwale Governor Fatma Achani.
KDF officers will lead the country in marking the celebrations.
The Guard of Honor (GoH) will commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Faith Mwagand. She is marking a historic moment as she becomes the first female senior officer to lead a GoH at a national event.
The troops for the GoH are drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), namely the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy.