Jamhuri Day (Republic Day) is a national holiday in

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

, celebrated on 12 December each year.Facts and Figures
Government of Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Accessed 1 June 2011) ''Jamhuri'' is the Swahili word for "

republic A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...

" and the holiday is meant to officially mark the date when Kenya became a republic on 12 December 1964, one year and six months after gaining internal self-rule on 1 June 1963 (

Madaraka Day Madaraka Day ("Internal self rule" or ''Self-Governance'' Day) is a national holiday that is celebrated every 1 June in every year in the Kenya, Republic of Kenya. It commemorates the day in 1963 that Kenya attained internal self rule after being ...

) from the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

Trooping of the Colour

The

Trooping of the Colour Trooping the Colour is a ceremony performed every year in London, United Kingdom, by regiments of the British Army. Similar events are held in other countries of the Commonwealth. Trooping the Colour has been a tradition of British infantry regi ...

of the

Kenya Defence Forces The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) ( sw, Majeshi ya Ulinzi ya Kenya, stylized as "KENYA ARMED FORCES" capitalized on its coat of arms) are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. They are made up of the Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Forc ...

takes place every Jamhuri Day. The ceremony begins at 11:30 after the

President of Kenya The president of the Republic of Kenya () is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Kenya. The President is also the head of the executive branch of the Government of Kenya and is the commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defe ...

, 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'. The parade concludes by marching to the tune of 'Kenya Daima' as the tri-service parade exits. Jamhuri Day is occasionally also used by the military to grant infantry battalions their formal Presidential and Regimental Colours. The honoured unit upon being conferred the colours proceeds with the Trooping of the Colour. In such a ceremony the President as Commander-in-Chief is formally dressed in ceremonial Kenya Army red tunic dress and once the flags are consecrated by an Anglican Bishop, Catholic Bishop and Muslim Kadhi the President formally hands the colours to two flagbearers who receive them when down on one knee.

List of units Trooping the Colour

National Awards

During Jamhuri day various

Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya are awarded by the President of Kenya "in recognition of outstanding or distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities". Awards are made by the president upon the ...

are awarded by the President to Kenyans in recognition of their distinguished service to the country. A National Honours and Awards Committee advises the President as to the eligible recipients who are derived from a list of nominees. Individuals are nominated to the Committee by government ministries, district committees, the Kenya Defence Forces, national police service, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, individuals and others.Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard), National Assembly of Kenya, 10 June 2009 Some of the recipients largely members of the military, uniformed services who have exhibited exceptional heroism and athletes who have distinguished themselves are publicly awarded their orders, decorations and medals before the country during national celebrations, whereas the rest are awarded during the State Luncheon or have their names published in the ''

Kenya Gazette The ''Kenya Gazette'' is an official publication of the government of the Republic of Kenya, a government gazette. Contents The ''Kenya Gazette'' publishes the following: * Notices of new legislation * Notices required to be published by law or ...

''.

References

{{Reflist National days

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

National symbols of Kenya December observances 1964 in Kenya

Trooping of the Colour

List of units Trooping the Colour

National Awards

See also

References