Kenyans
Wednesday night ushered in the nation’s 50th anniversary of
independence from British rule with a call for unity for the country’s
peace and development.
Joined by his deputy Mr William
Ruto and a host of dignitaries, President Uhuru Kenyatta planted a
commemorative tree to mark the beginning of celebrations amid dazzling
fireworks rocking the sky at midnight.
President
Kenyatta urged Kenyans to remain united and committed to making the
country, East Africa and Africa prosperous and peaceful in the next 50
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,”
he said.
He urged the Kenyan people to forge a
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”.
Reports from the President's
office Wednesday indicated that 10 heads of state and government were
already in the country for the Independence Day celebrations.
According
to the reports, the presidents of Nigeria, Malawi and Uganda arrived by
7pm. Others who had arrived were from Eritrea, Burundi, Botswana, South
Sudan and Tanzania. President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka, was the
latest to arrive
President Rajapaksa is also on a five
day state visit in Kenya, that will see him hold bilateral talks with
President Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi and lay a wreath at the
mausoleum of the founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
He will also visit the United Nations offices in Nairobi and address Sri Lankan Diaspora in Kenya.
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