Jamhuri Day
| Republic Day | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Official name | Jamhuri Day |
| Observed by |  Kenya |
| Significance | Celebrates the founding of the Republic of Kenya |
| Celebrations | Parades, Festivals |
| Date | 12 December |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Independence of Kenya |
Jamhuri Day (Republic Day) is a national holiday in Kenya, celebrated on 12 December each year.[1] Jamhuri is the Swahili word for "republic" and the holiday is meant to officially mark the date when Kenya became a republic on 12 December 1963, six months after gaining internal self-rule on 1 June 1963 from the United Kingdom.
Trooping of the Colour
The Trooping of the Colour of the Kenya Defence Forces takes place every Jamhuri Day. The ceremony begins at 11:30 after the President of Kenya, takes the national salute, and inspects the parade. The band plays a slow march followed with a quick march the lone drummer then breaks away to take his position beside number one guard to play the drummers call, signaling the officers of No.1 Guard to take positions to receive the colour. The escort for the colour then marches off to collect the colour as the massed KDF band plays the chosen Kenyan tune. After the hand over and as the Escort presents arms the first verse of the Kenya national anthem is played, then the escort to the colour marches off in a slow march to the tune of the British grenadier guards. The first tune normally played during the march is always 'By land and sea'.[2][3]
List of units Trooping the Colour
| Year | Colour | Salute taken by | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Kenya Navy | President Daniel arap Moi | |
| 2009 | Kenya Navy | President Mwai Kibaki | |
| 2013 | President Uhuru Kenyatta | Celebrated the golden jubilee of the Republic of Kenya. It was attended by dignitaries such as Paul Kagame, John Mahama and Yoweri Museveni.[4] | |
| 2014 | 9th Kenya Rifles Battalion | President Uhuru Kenyatta | [5] |
| 2015 | 15th Kenya Rifles Battalion | President Uhuru Kenyatta | [6] |
| 2016 | Kenya Navy | President Uhuru Kenyatta | The guest of honor was Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.[7][8] |
| 2017 | Moi Air Base, Kenya Air Force | President Uhuru Kenyatta | [9] |
| 2018 | 17th Kenya Rifles Battalion | President Uhuru Kenyatta | Celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Republic of Kenya. The 17th Kenya Rifles received its colors on the same day and were re-located to their new base in Modika, Garissa County. |
| 2019 | Laikipia Air Base, Kenya Air Force | President Uhuru Kenyatta | Second time since the base's establishment in 1974.[10] |
| 2020 | 5th Kenya Rifles Battalion | President Uhuru Kenyatta | [11] |
See also
- Republic Day in other countries
- Public holidays in Kenya
References
- ^ Facts and Figures Government of Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Accessed 1 June 2011)
- ^ https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/need-know-jamhuri-days-military-parade/
- ^ https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001353023/explainer-trooping-of-colour-on-jamhuri-day
- ^ http://paulkagame.com/?p=3849
- ^ http://www.mod.go.ke/?p=3964
- ^ http://www.mod.go.ke/?p=5889
- ^ https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/barbados-prime-minister-the-special-guest-as-kenya-celebrates-jamhuri-day
- ^ http://www.mod.go.ke/?p=6818
- ^ http://www.mod.go.ke/?p=8765
- ^ http://www.mod.go.ke/?p=12827
- ^ https://www.president.go.ke/2020/12/12/speech-by-his-excellency-hon-uhuru-kenyatta-c-g-h-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya-and-commander-in-chief-of-the-defence-forces-during-the-57th-jamhuri-day-celebrations-on-12th-december-2020/
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