Nairobi, Kenya – As Kenya celebrates its 61st Jamhuri Day on Tuesday, December 12, 2024, President William Ruto will lead the nation in reflecting on more than six decades of independence.
Jamhuri Day, observed annually on December 12, is among Kenya’s most significant national holidays, marking the country’s liberation from British colonial rule in 1963. The Swahili word “Jamhuri,” meaning “Republic,” symbolizes Kenya’s sovereignty.
Kenya’s journey to independence was a lengthy and challenging process. It became a British colony in 1920, and despite African demands for political inclusion, the colonial administration resisted until 1944, when the first African was included in the legislature. Persistent disputes over land and cultural traditions fueled the Mau Mau rebellion, a movement led by the Agikuyu community. The term “Mau Mau” can be interpreted as “Leave Leave,” reflecting its call to end British rule. The uprising, which gained momentum in the 1950s, plunged the nation into a state of emergency.
Figures like Mzee Jomo Kenyatta played pivotal roles in this struggle, which culminated in Kenya gaining independence on December 12, 1963, following six months of internal self-rule. By December 12, 1964, Kenya became a republic, with Kenyatta as its first president.
Jamhuri Day is a time of deep historical significance, celebrated nationwide with communal feasts, inspiring political speeches, military parades by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS), and vibrant cultural dances.
This year, the celebrations will be held at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, continuing the tradition set by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. President Ruto is expected to deliver a speech reflecting on Kenya’s achievements and challenges over the past 61 years.
In line with Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which took effect in 2013, Jamhuri Day festivities are also organized at the county level. Governors oversee these events, highlighting Kenya’s unity and progress since gaining self-rule.
