Happy Madaraka Day!
Madaraka Day is a national holiday celebrated every 1 June of every year in the Republic of Kenya. It commemorates the day in 1963 that Kenya attained independent self-governance after decades as a Kenya Colony. Madaraka is a Swahili word for “freedom, independence”.
One of the standard features of our Madaraka day celebrations is the playing of the National anthem at the start and close of the ceremony.
The song evokes a sense of patriotism among Kenyans. The anthem is also played flag-raising assemblies in schools and theatres at the start of plays and movies.
It’s also a common feature in international events such as international athletic events when Kenyan athletes excel.
Alongside the birth of a new nation in 1963 was the composition of the Kenya national anthem. The lyrics are express the deepest convictions and highest aspirations of the people as a whole.
Great care was taken to ensure that the anthem was an indisputable unifying factor in the life of the nation. I consider the song our prayer and a heritage.
The first stanza of the Kenya National Anthem acknowledges the sovereignty of God over the nation and sought for his blessings on the land.
Our founding fathers envisioned a society where Justice shields and defends everyone, whether rich or poor, great or small.
The anthem highlights what I consider to as our three strong pillars for a prosperous nation – unity, peace and liberty.
The Nyayo philosophy of peace, love and unity, advocated by Kenya’s second President, Daniel Moi was his attempt to follow the footsteps of the founding fathers and pull the country together.
In his own words, Moi said “In unity and love lies our salvation and strength as a nation. Sectionalism, tribalism, and personality cults are destructive forces which the nation cannot afford today.”
The words of the loyalty pledge, ‘My devotion to the words of our national anthem,’ are an affirmation of the quest for unity, peace and liberty.
In 2012, the current president, together with his deputy campaigned for office on the platform of uniting the country.
Fast forward, and in his second and final term in office, one of his legacy projects is that of uniting Kenyans.
This aspiration led to the handshake with his two-time challenger for the presidential elections and the birth of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Some have touted BBI as Kenya’s hope to a united nation, a panacea to all our problems bedevilling the country. Is this a possibility or just a mirage?
Is the lack of unity among Kenyans real or perceived? In 2003, Kenyans ranked as the most optimistic people in the world.
They united together to end the over four-decades-old rule of the ruling party then. The triple values of unity, peace and liberty are interconnected, and their relationship ensures social cohesion and promises personal as well as national development.
Without unity, there cannot be peace, and without peace and unity, liberty is curtailed. That was experienced and evidenced in 2007-2008 post-election violence.
As we reflect on our Independence day, and as we look for a lasting solution to find this peace that has eluded us for close to six decades, I am reminded of a story in the village where I grew up.
There was an older man who didn’t have any children of his own. However, he was taunted as the one who had solutions and had a reputation of having helped several couples with no children find a solution to their childlessness.
What no one explained then and even now several years after his departure was how come he knew of a solution that could work for others but not for him.
May the words of our national anthem remain true on this Independence day as they were when they were put together in 1963.
Kenya National Anthem in English
O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation.
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true.
Service be our earnest endeavour,
And our Homeland of Kenya
Heritage of splendour,
Firm may we stand to defend.
Let all with one accord
In common bond united,
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving
May we dwell In Unity, Peace and Liberty.
