By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - More than 30,000 Kenyans gathered Wednesday at the Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum for the 59th Madaraka Day national celebrations.
President Uhuru Kenyatta led the country in celebrating 59 years since the attainment of self-rule.
The Madaraka Day fete celebrated June 1 commemorates the day in 1963 when the nation attained independence from the British colonialists and is one of the most important holidays in the East African country.
Many wore clothes with symbolic colors of black, red and green with thin white stripes of the Kenyan flag.
Cultural and contemporary music and dance troupes entertained crowds at the ceremony where Kenyatta conferred State commendations to distinguished Kenyans.
Crowds were treated to a colorful march-past by contingents drawn from Kenya Defense Forces and the National Police Service. Also displayed were mechanized columns of the Kenyan army drive-by and a fly-past by Kenya Air Force aircraft.
“I am overjoyed because, after 59 years of self-rule, this is the first time we are celebrating Madaraka Day at these hallowed grounds,” Kenyatta said, noting it was the last celebration he was leading as sitting president ahead of the general elections in August.
Kenyatta noted it was on the same grounds that British colonialists had one of the largest concentration camps in colonial Africa, holding up to 10,000 freedom fighters at any given time.
“I have on this day exercised the presidential prerogative of pardon and granted a second chance to 3,908 inmates. To those that have been pardoned, I charge you all to be change-makers in our society and to restore faith and confidence in our criminal justice system,” he said.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada, who is on a five-day visit to Kenya, commended Kenyans and acknowledged the strides made by both nations.
“Kenya and Sierra Leone have triumphed over adversity and we have worked hard to build just, inclusive peaceful nations on both sides of the great continent.”
Kenya and Sierra Leone signed seven bilateral agreements Tuesday aimed at bolstering relations.
The agreements were on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation, Political and Diplomatic Consultations, Trade and Investment, Cooperation in the Field of Wildlife Tourism, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Cooperation in the Field of Culture and Arts and finally Cooperation in the Field of Youth Affairs.