Six decades ago, Kenya achieved independence, marking a milestone in its history. The journey to autonomy began with internal self-rule on June 1, 1963, celebrated as Madaraka Day.
The transition culminated in the establishment of the Republic of Kenya, with the inauguration of Jomo Kenyatta as the first president on December 12, 1964, just one year after gaining independence.
Over the years, anniversaries of these historical events have been observed and we look at some of the anniversaries.
Thursday, December 12, 1963
Kenya celebrated its first day of full independence. The afternoon saw the nation become constitutionally self-governing when the Duke of Edinburgh handed over to Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first Prime Minister, the instruments of independence. After receiving the instruments, Kenyatta declared, “This is Kenya’s greatest day and the happiest in my life.”
A day prior, the actual independence ceremony took place, with the Duke of Edinburgh representing Queen Elizabeth, and Kenyatta receiving the Freedom of the City of Nairobi.
The independence ceremony occurred in a specially built arena accommodating 250,000 people, where the Duke and Kenyatta shared the spotlight during the troop colour ceremony.
At one minute past midnight, the Union Jack came down, and the black, green, red, and white coloured flag of Kenya was raised. British rule had ended after 68 years, and Kenya became Africa’s 34th independent state.
Fifth Anniversary
During the fifth-anniversary celebrations at Jamhuri Grounds, President Kenyatta arrived dressed in a leopard skin, as in past events. In his address, he spoke of rapid expansion providing solutions to unemployment over the next five years. The celebrations included a troop colour ceremony, a soccer match against Kenya and Somalia, a horse race meeting, and a State House garden party.
10th Anniversary
On Tuesday, December 11, 1973, Kenyatta attended a pageant of Kenya’s major industrial and agricultural organizations in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park as part of the tenth-anniversary celebrations.
Many dignitaries, including President Jafaar El-Nimery of Sudan, President Amin Dada of Uganda, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and the Aga Khan, were present. Kenyatta led the crowd in repeated cries of the country’s national slogan, ‘Harambee’ — ‘Let’s Pull Together.’
On Wednesday, clad in leopard skin robes, Kenyatta reviewed the Armed Forces, spoke on the achievements of a decade of nationhood, and announced the partial realization of the promise of seven years of free education for every Kenyan child.
15th Anniversary
The first Jamhuri Day celebration after Kenyatta’s death in 1978 saw President Daniel Arap Moi release political detainees, including prominent figures. Moi emphasized on improving the lives of individual Kenyans, especially through education, during his speech marking the 15th anniversary of independence. The release of detainees made Kenya one of the few African countries claiming to have no political prisoners.
30th anniversary
The 1993 edition was attended by President Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda among other leaders. Moi reflected on Kenya’s 30th year of independence, emphasizing the country’s youthful demographic and its economic potential.Â
Moi expressed confidence in Kenya’s economic foundation, focusing on job creation, national food security, poverty elimination, and industrialization. He acknowledged the shift to a multi-party political system, calling for enlightened leadership and respect for national institutions. He outlined plans to reduce dependency on foreign assistance and promote private investment, both domestic and foreign.
The President stressed the importance of national unity, equity, and tolerance, discouraging negative politics and corruption. Kenya’s foreign policy, regional cooperation, and concerns for Africa’s stability were also highlighted. Moi concluded by urging Kenyans to draw strength from past successes, facing the future with courage, determination, peace, love, and unity.
50th anniversary
In preparation for Kenya’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, the Central Bank of Kenya took part by launching a special commemorative 50-shilling coin.
This coin was part of the Central Bank’s contribution to Kenya’s golden jubilee celebration, and it followed a tradition of issuing commemorative coins on significant national occasions, including the 10th, 25th, and 40th independence anniversaries.
Unlike previous releases, the Kenya@50 Gold Commemorative Coin was a one-time limited edition exclusively created for the country’s 50th birthday and was not intended for general circulation.
The actual celebrations commenced at midnight, symbolically marked by the raising of the Kenyan flag at Uhuru Gardens. This re-enactment mirrored the historic moment 50 years prior when Britain’s colonial rule, which had been in place since 1895, came to an end.
On December 12, President Uhuru Kenyatta led the 50th-anniversary celebrations at Kasarani Stadium with 14 heads of states attending.
In his address to the nation, President Kenyatta delivered a speech steeped in anti-colonial rhetoric, reminiscent of the sentiments expressed by his father, Jomo Kenyatta, in 1963 when he became the first Kenyan leader after independence.
