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| The nation Kenya was officially recognized as a sovereign republic on 12th December 1963. |
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| On this date, Kenya’s independence celebrations were held and our national anthem was played and sang. Resounding the newly born nation’s hopes and aspirations, it formed part of the official transition from colonial existence to independent national life. |
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| Prior Kenya’s first independence celebrations, a Commission had been set up by Jomo Kenyatta, then Prime Minister of Kenya. The Commission’s mandate was to prepare proposals of the anthem to be adopted by Kenya as we gained independence and recognition as a sovereign republic. Members of the commission included George W. Senoga-Zake, Thomas Kalume, Peter Kibukosya and Washington Omondi, headed by Mr. Graham Hyslop, the appointed Kenya Music Adviser. |
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| Whilst the Commission had a mandate to fulfil, numerous other Kenyans were involved in the process of submitting and testing proposals of our anthem’s melody and lyrics. |
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| The tune of our national anthem was finally derived from a simple folk song from one of our people groups, the Pokomo. |
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A Press Statement released on Wednesday 26th September 1963,
by the Press Office of Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism, states that
the Commission’s recognized that |
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“ … With regard to the precise sentiments which should be expressed
there must be a recognition of the deep conviction of the people
of this country, high and low, rich and poor,
that the affairs of men are in the hands of God.” |
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| Forty Four Years on, Kenya and the community of nations on earth can attest to the fact that our anthem has stood the test of time. |
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| Several generations have sang and played it and continue to sing and play the nation’s song. |
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