Kenya is celebrating its golden jubilee on Thursday marking 50 years of independence from Britain.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is leading the event at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani, with 14 head of states and governments having already arrived at the venue including Presidents of Uganda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Comoros, Nigeria and Botswana. Two Prime ministers representing Rwanda and Namibia have also arrived.
At the stroke of midnight Wednesday, Kenyans ushered in the country’s 50th birthday in style, pomp and colour to commemorate the golden moment.
Fireworks rocked the air at midnight when the flag was hoisted to mark the 50th birthday of the country’s independence.
President Kenyatta planted a commemorative tree to mark the occasion.
The President, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, his wife Rachel and a host of dignitaries were united in ushering in the golden jubilee of independence.
President Kenyatta urged Kenyans to remain united and committed to making the country, East Africa and Africa prosperous and peaceful in the next fifty years.
“Tonight, we bear testimony of our fidelity to the aspirations of our freedom fighters, independence heroes and founding fathers. In time, we have overcome much to become a modern, open, democratic nation doing its best for its citizens and neighbours,” the President said.
President Kenyatta said Kenyans forged an unshakeable consensus to use resources at their disposal to bring a better life to all citizens adding “we are on our way to becoming a richer and better country to live in”.
He urged Kenyans to love one another saying tribalism and discrimination on race or creed should be avoided for unity to prevail.
The President also told Kenyans to owe allegiance to the Constitution that guaranteed them fundamental rights to basic needs in life.
