Madaraka Day
| Madaraka Day | |
|---|---|
| Observed by |  Kenya |
| Significance | Celebrates Kenya attaining internal self rule |
| Celebrations | Festivals |
| Date | 1 June |
| Next time | 1 June 2027 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Independence of Kenya |
Madaraka Day ("Internal self rule" or Self-Governance Day) is a national holiday that is celebrated every 1 June in every year in the Republic of Kenya. It commemorates the day in 1963 that Kenya attained internal self rule after being a British colony since 1920.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Kenya only attained partial independence on this day in 1963 and did not become a fully established republic until about a year and a half later, on 12 December 1964. In recognition of that, Kenya also celebrates Jamhuri Day (Republic Day) on 12 December every year.
Madaraka is a Swahili word for "self authority," "the assignment of authority".[citation needed]
Rotational hosting
[edit]On 18 December 2015 after the fourth biannual National and County Government Summit, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the two of the national holidays of Madaraka day, Mashujaa and Mashujaa Day would be hosted in a different county each year breaking the tradition of hosting them in the Capital, Nairobi.[7] These changes were implemented to increase national unit and cohesion.[7]
Events
[edit]The 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations (2026) were held at the newly constructed Wajir Stadium in Wajir, Wajir County.[8] During the event, President Ruto announced plans to rename the stadium after Ahmed Mohamed Khalif, the first Cabinet minister from Wajir. Ahmed was appointed by President Mwai Kibaki as the Minister for Labour in 2003, less than a month before he died in a plane crash accident.[8]
See also
[edit]- Jamhuri Day – National holiday in Kenya
- Mashujaa Day
- Public holidays in Kenya
External links
[edit]- Global Policy – Madaraka Day in Kenya
- National Holidays in 2011[permanent dead link]
- Madaraka Day Images
References
[edit]- ^ Nyamwaya, Glena (1 June 2011). "Kenya marks 48 years of self-rule". Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Kibaki, Mwai (1 June 2011). "President Kibaki's Madaraka Day speech". Capital FM Kenya. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011.
- ^ Mathenge, Oliver (26 August 2010). "Friday's most critical event also its shortest". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Godfrey Muriuki (August–September 1965). "The Green Fruits of Uhuru". Africa Today. 12 (7): 5–8. JSTOR 4184647.
- ^ "Constitution of Kenya" (PDF). 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Facts and Figures Government of Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Accessed 1 June 2011)
- ^ a b PSCU (15 December 2015). "Counties to host Madaraka, Mashujaa and Jamhuri Days on rotational basis". The Standard. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ^ a b Steve Otieno (2 June 2026). "Why Wajir Stadium will bear name of shortest-serving Cabinet minister". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
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