Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Sunday officiated Mashujaa Day celebrations in honour the country's heroes and launch 50th independence anniversary calender.
This year's celebration comes at a time when the
country has had a difficult year with a myriad of challenges ranging
from terror attacks, ICC trials of the President and his deputy among
others.
Last year’s Mashujaa Day became the
passing of an era as it was presided over by retired President Mwai
Kibaki, a politician who belongs to the first generation.
This is the first Mashujaa Day being celebrated with the team of second generation leaders holding the reins of power.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President
William Ruto, who took charge of the state this year, were born long
after those who fought for liberation from colonial rule were detained.
And even the team President Kenyatta has appointed to run the government equally belongs to the second generation.
The leadership faces on the dais led by President
Kenyatta will reflect how far the country has come from leaders who
reminded Kenyans how independence was fought to the digital generation.
Initially, the day was dedicated to founding president, Jomo Kenyatta. It is the day he was arrested in 1952.
However the makers of the constitution felt it
should be renamed because there were other patriots across the country
whose contribution in the fight for independence was equally important.
SOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
SOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
