Uhuru fete to be a replica of the 1963 celebrations

Celebrations to mark Kenya’s Independence Day 50 years ago will be a replica of the events that took place in 1963.

On the eve of the climax of this year’s celebrations on December 11, President Kenyatta will hoist the national flag at the same spot where his father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, did the same on the night the Union Jack came down for good and the national flag went up.

Sports, Culture and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario Wednesday said that just as it happened on the eve of December 12, 1963, Mr Kenyatta with hoist the flag at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

Dr Wario, who chairs the committee organising the Jubilee celebrations said: “This place (Uhuru Gardens) is where the first flag of Kenya was launched. President Kenyatta will hoist the flag again on December 11.” He said Kenyans from all walks of life were invited to take part in the re-enactment.

Addressing journalists on the preparations for the fete, Dr Wario said a series of activities have been organised for the Golden Jubilee to be marked by different events stretching for a year.

Address the nation

“We urge Kenyans to turn out at Uhuru Gardens where they will party all night long,” he said.

On the morning of December 12, President Kenyatta is expected to address the nation from the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where the day’s celebrations will be marked.

Traditionally, national holidays have been celebrated at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

This will be the second time that a major national event will be held in Kasarani this year.

In April, President Kenyatta took the oath of office at the same venue when he took over power from President Kibaki, who retired when his two terms ended after the March 4 General Election.

Dr Wario said that those who will attend the Kenya@50 festivities will be free to celebrate at the stadium until dawn.

The countdown for the major celebrations began on Mashujaa Day, which was marked on October 20, when President Kenyatta unveiled a special logo that combines a lion motif and the Kenyan colours.

The government has allocated Sh500 million for the celebrations, but the private sector has pledged to top up the amount to Sh2.6 billion.

“Some key legacy projects identified by the secretariat and aimed at protecting our environment, transforming our health, arts and education sectors among others have been lined up and sponsored by the private sector,” Dr Wario said.

Among them will be renovation and equipping of the paediatric wing of the Kenyatta National Hospital and refurbishment and equipping of the Mathari Hospital through mobile phone service provider Safaricom.

“The Aga Khan Foundation will sponsor (rehabilitation of) City Park, while the National Bank of Kenya will support a campaign to plant 50 million trees,” said Dr Wario.

And to foster unity among Kenyans, the organisers will give each county a sample of the Constitution signed by the President and a national flag.

County governments are expected to complement national activities by running similar programmes in their regions.

“We will use these celebrations to reflect on our 50 years’ history, analyse where we are and project the future,” Dr Wario said.