Fifty years is a notable hallmark in the life of
any nation. Therefore, celebrations are in order as we mark an epochal
birthday since that night at Uhuru Gardens a half-century ago when the
British Union Jack was lowered and the floodlit Black, Red, Green, and
White flag of the new nation proudly rose up in the starry sky.
This
is a time to be happy, a time to be proud. This is a time to put aside
all those fears, doubts, anxieties, and problems so that we can joyfully
party without reservation.
We can celebrate our
independence and freedom. We can celebrate turning 50. We can rejoice at
all the good and wonderful things that have transpired in the life of
this great nation. We can laud our heroes and heroines from the struggle
for freedom to date. We can also remember all the major achievements
and successes of the past 50 years.
No one can deny that celebrations are called for. Kenya, by all accounts, is a success story.
It
has been largely peaceful and stable under continuous civilian rule and
regular democratic elections, a rarity on the continent. In the region
it is an economic powerhouse and a hub for commerce and industry,
transport and communications, financial services and international
organisations.
For a fairly small country with a
modest economy, there is no doubt that Kenya punches above its weight.
It is now firmly entrenched as one of the four African regional pivots
alongside South Africa in the south, Nigeria in the west, and Egypt in
the north.
A proud and free people have contributed
greatly to the making of this nation, exercising their liberties with
responsibility and at every stage holding the authorities up to account.
That Kenya stands tall and proud in the community of
nations is largely due to a creative and resilient people who have
forever been keen to take advantage of all the opportunities that have
come their way.
A proud and free people
A motivated and highly skilled workforce is the envy of the region. Kenyan technocrats, managers, academics, and professionals have performed with distinction across the world and demonstrated to all the talent that lies herein. Therefore, we can state that what we mark today is not just the mere fact of nationhood and a jubilee year, but a people who have made something worth celebrating.
A motivated and highly skilled workforce is the envy of the region. Kenyan technocrats, managers, academics, and professionals have performed with distinction across the world and demonstrated to all the talent that lies herein. Therefore, we can state that what we mark today is not just the mere fact of nationhood and a jubilee year, but a people who have made something worth celebrating.
It is brave individuals who rose up against tyranny and servitude to lead the fight that freed Kenya from colonial bondage.
It is Kenyans who took up the reins at independence to steer the country through the tottering early steps.
When
the leadership fell under thrall of the African disease of dictatorship
and one-party rule, it is Kenyans who said a resolute no and took up
the cudgels to steer the country back to the right path of democracy,
respect for civil and political rights, and a progressive and liberal
constitution.
Therefore even as we rightfully celebrate
all the gains of freedom and independence, we must stand reminded as
citizens and patriots that we remain the vanguard of our own liberty.
There
will always be forces of reaction keen to roll back the clock, but a
proud and free people will remain vigilant to ensure continued peace,
prosperity, and progress into the next 50 years.
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