ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H.

, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE KENYA@50 CELEBRATIONS AT UHURU GARDENS, NAIROBI ON THE MID-NIGHT OF 12TH DECEMBER, 2013 Fellow Kenyans, Friends of Kenya, On this night 50 years ago, Kenyans gathered at these grounds to conduct a solemn and expectant vigil. It was a night of momentous culminations. That night was at once the dus of oppression, and the golden dawn of !i"erty. It was an incredi"le night when the people gathered to witness what, to their minds, seemed utterly impossi"le only two years "efore. They had come to "ear witness to the hum"le descent and retreat of the terrifying and arrogant colonial order, and the rise and setting forth of the triumphant and heroic independence movement. On that night, #mpire waned even as our proud new $ation waxed. Kenyans needed to see it and "elieve it. On this sacred night, %fricans witnessed the sym"olic a"rogation of tyranny, and the inauguration of self&determination. 'ere at this place, they saw with their eyes the conclusion of the horror, humiliation, pain and suffering of colonialism, heard the stirring strains of the songs and sounds of freedom, and felt the rousing energy of a people finally li"erated. !adies and (entlemen, %s the )nion *ac made its final descent, hum"led and "ereft of its asperity, our people felt great relief. To witness colonialism+s imperious em"lem descend into the dar ness of eternal ignominy was li e holding *ustice in one+s arms. Our people+s relief transformed into euphoric re,oicing as the flag of our newly "orn -epu"lic ascended its staff, proud and "eautiful, to claim the light a"ove. The struggle had succeeded. Our unity and sovereignty had prevailed. Independence was at hand, and we were, finally, masters of our own destiny. This, then, is the great $ight of our deliverance. It is the .orning of our vindication. /hile it was a pitch dar midnight in our part of the world, here in Kenya, we only saw the "right noon and "as ed in the warm, "lessed light of Freedom, )nity and *ustice. It was a great
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night, ushering a great morning and "eginning the greatest days of our country. !adies and (entlemen, !et us ,oin hands to commemorate that golden moment, and to honour all those whose la"our and sacrifice made it happen. !et us pledge eternal remem"rance, gratitude and respect for their fine achievement, which has made it possi"le for us to live freely in a united country where our contri"ution counts. !et us dedicate ourselves to defending the freedom and sovereignty they secured at such great cost, and to resist tyranny and exploitation at all times. !et us stand united and committed to ma e Kenya, #ast %frica and %frica prosperous, peaceful and united. Fellow Kenyans, Tonight, we "ear testimony of our fidelity to the aspirations of our freedom fighters, independence heroes and founding fathers. In time, we have overcome much to "ecome a modern, open, democratic nation doing its "est for its citi1ens and neigh"ours. Over the years, we have strengthened our self&determination, individual freedoms and accounta"le government. Our independence has made us a greater, not lesser people. %fricans are healthier, "etter fed, literate and richer than we were under colonialism. /e have forged an unsha ea"le consensus to use our resources to "ring a "etter life to all our citi1ens. /e are on our way to "ecoming a richer and "etter country to live in. Over the next 50 years, we will ma e Kenya more glorious, and ma e our forefathers proud. /e not only em"raced independence with great re,oicing, we also undertoo the responsi"ilities that accompany freedom with dedication and 1eal. /e will honour everyone whose constant service has "rought us sta"ility, prosperity and "etter government. /e will "anish corruption and la1iness from our shores. It is therefore my great ,oy to ,oin the people of Kenya in cele"rating freedom. I ,ust want you all to now, and never forget what wonderful fol you are. I than (od for the people of Kenya, and I cele"rate and honour all of you. !et us all cele"rate and honour us. !et us love our each other, and our "eautiful country. %t all times, let us recall the message of our freedom fighters2 this land is our land. Kenya is our home, hope and destiny. Fellow Kenyans, %s I raise our flag on these grounds, let us reflect on the significance of its colours and the words of our $ational %nthem. !et us also
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dedicate ourselves to the $ational 4alues inscri"ed in our 5onstitution. %s I inaugurate the *amhuri 6ay cele"rations, I call upon everyone to remem"er the great tas ahead of us for the next 50 years. In our ,oy, let us not forget our many friends throughout the world, who never forsoo us in time of need. They have always stood "y us. /e than all of them, honour and "less them. /e also welcome them to re,oice with us, and reflect on the distance we have travelled together. !et the world witness and share our ,oys, our hopes and our purposeful endeavor as they rise with our flag and shine "eautifully under the %frican s y. I dedicate this flag&raising to all the people of Kenya and our friends, to Freedom, )nity and our 5onstitution, and to our collective efforts and aspirations.