President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to preside over his last Jamhuri Day celebrations of his 10-year tenure before he hands over the reins of power come next year.
The President has so far graced all the Jamhuri Day celebrations, observed every December 12, since 2013 whereby he has used the occasion to rally Kenyans to stay united and fight against vices affecting the country.
However, this will mark the last edition of the celebrations before Kenyans go to the polls next year to choose a new leader to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta.
Everything is set for the event after Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho led the National Celebrations Committee on an inspection tour of the Uhuru Garden Stadium where the celebrations will be held.
It will be the first time the celebrations will be held at the newly refurbished grounds on Lang’ata Road, however President Kenyatta has visited regularly to check the progress of the work being done at the national monument.
The Celebrations Committee stated that there will be no parallel events in other parts of the country owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Kibicho led committee further said up to 11,000 people are set to attend this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations at the newly built Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, with the rest of the Kenyans urged to follow the proceedings from the comfort of their homes.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i has since gazetted Monday, December 13 as a holiday given that Jamhuri Day falls on Sunday.
“In line with the provisions of section 2 and 4 of the Public Holidays Act, it is hereby confirmed that December 13 will be a public holiday, by dint of Jamhuri Day falling on Sunday, December 12,” wrote Matiang’i.
“The day bears profound historical significance as it marks the attainment of Kenya’s independence and the birth of the Republic. All citizens are encouraged to honour and celebrate this day in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion and economic progress in the country,” he added.
