Madaraka Day celebrations, history, tradition, things to do

Madaraka Day celebrations take place every year on 1 June to commemorate the day Kenya achieved internal self-governance from the British colonists. This national holiday was created under Article 8 of the 2010 Constitution.

Key takeaways

• Kenyans have a unique way of celebrating Madaraka Day. They gather in thousands in a nationally announced venue selected to host the celebrations.
• The military organises a parade, various entertainers make people happy, and speeches are given by government heads.
• Madaraka Day commemorates the date when Kenya gained internal self-rule and is celebrated on 1st June every year.
• Homa Bay County will host the 2025 Madaraka Day at the Raila Odinga Stadium. The theme will focus on the maritime and blue economy.

Madaraka Day celebrations

Madaraka Day celebrations are full of pomp and colour. They are characterised by singing, dancing, and joy. The most crucial segment of the day is when the president delivers the Madaraka Day speech.

The speech addresses the struggle for freedom and touches on other issues affecting the country. The Kenyan national anthem is usually sung to mark the end of the celebrations.

What is Madaraka Day?

Madaraka Day can also be referred to as internal self-rule or self-governance day. It is a Kenyan national holiday that is celebrated annually on 1 June.

Kenyans used the day to commemorate the day in 1963 when Kenya attained internal self-rule after being a British colony since 1920. It is important to note that the country only attained partial independence on this day in 1963.

Kenya did not become a fully established republic until about a year and a half later, on 12 December 1964. The country marks Jamhuri Day on 12 December every year to mark the day it became a fully-fledged republic.

History of Madaraka Day

The Kenyan colonial history dates back to 1885 when the Germans invaded the Kenyan coast, previously occupied by the Sultan of Zanzibar.

Five years later, Great Britain took over the German Territory and set up the East African Protectorate in 1895.

British settlers began arriving in the country in large numbers and occupied the best and fertile agricultural lands that belonged to the natives. A few settlers moved to the northern parts of Kenya because it was dry.

In 1920, Kenya became an official colony of Britain. Land disputes were prevalent, resulting in the Mau Mau rebellion that put the country in a state of emergency from 1952 to 1960.

The end of apartheid in 1944 paved the way for a few local African officials to be appointed to the government. However, it was not until 1957 that the first elections were held in the country.

Jomo Kenyatta was elected on a Kenya African National Union (KANU) ticket to form the first government. On 1 June 1963, the country attained internal self-governance following the election of Kenyatta as the prime minister.

The country only managed to attain full independence from the British colonists on 12 December 1963. 62 years later, the country has grown into an independent nation with His Excellency Dr. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto currently serving as the fifth Kenyan president.

First Madaraka Day celebration

Kenyans celebrated the first Madaraka Day on 1 June 1963. Uhuru Gardens was selected as the venue for this event.

Kenyans had gone through so much to achieve internal self-governance, and there was so much joy in the air during the celebration. President Jomo Kenyatta took to the podium to deliver his speech, and Kenyans listened with a keen ear.

Kenyans were so interested in Jomo Kenyatta's speech that crowds attending the event moved closer and closer to the podium. The police had a difficult time controlling the crowds that gathered for the event.

Counties as hosts during national holiday celebrations

Previously, all the national holidays were celebrated in Kenya's capital city, Nairobi. This has changed since the devolution of power following the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.

The sitting president made an announcement during one of the meetings that he had with the governors. He stated that only one of the three gazetted national holidays marked annually would be celebrated in the capital city.

The other two, including Madaraka Day, would be celebrated outside the capital city. It was decided that each county would host national holiday celebrations on a rotational basis.

Nakuru County was the first county to host a national holiday event in 2016. In 2017, Nyeri County hosted Madaraka Day, followed by Meru County in 2018.

The 2024 celebrations were hosted in Bungoma's Masinde Muliro Stadium. The theme of the celebration in 2024 was agriculture and food security.

The 2025 event will be celebrated in Homa Bay County at the Raila Odinga Stadium. The theme will focus on the maritime and blue economy.

Things to do on Madaraka Day

On Madaraka Day, most people do not report to work, especially those who are employed. If you walk around town, you will observe that government offices, banks, and private businesses remain closed. Some private establishments choose to be open.

There are many exciting things that you can do on this day. If you live near the selected celebration venue for the fete, consider attending the ceremony.

If you are located far away, you can consider this holiday a perfect opportunity for a family get-together. You can go on a picnic with your family members.

Alternatively, you can travel for a short vacation. You may also travel to your hometown to visit the people there. The list of things that you can do on this day is endless. The choice is yours.

What do we celebrate during Madaraka Day?

Madaraka Day commemorates the attainment of Kenya's internal self-rule from the British colonial powers in 1963.

What does Madaraka Day mean in Kiswahili?

In Kiswahili, Madaraka means power. Therefore, the meaning of Madaraka Day is the day when colonists ceded power to Kenyans, including control over the fertile lands for cultivating coffee.

Why is Madaraka Day celebrated?

Kenyans celebrate Madaraka Day to commemorate the attainment of Kenya's internal self-rule from the British colonial powers.

Is Madaraka Day the same as Independence Day?

No, Madaraka Day marks the day Kenyans got internal self-rule but did not receive full powers over the country. The day the country gained full independence was 12 December 1963. This day is known as Jamhuri Day.

How to write a composition about Madaraka Day in Kenya

Writing a composition about Madaraka Day is easy. Just think of a past Madaraka Day celebration, and things you did during that day.

When is Madaraka Day celebrated in Kenya?

Madaraka Day is celebrated on the 1st of June every year.

What is the difference between Madaraka Day and Jamhuri Day?

Madaraka Day commemorates the day when Kenya gained internal self-rule, whereas Jamhuri Day is meant to celebrate the day when Kenya gained full independence. Madaraka Day is celebrated on the 1st of June, while Jamhuri Day is celebrated on 12th December.

Madaraka Day celebrations are very important in Kenya. The holiday allows Kenyans to reflect on their past, honour the heroes who played an important role in the struggle for independence, and work for a better future.

Tuko.co.ke recently published information about Eid al-Adha and how to celebrate the holiday in Kenya. Eid al-Adha is one of the most important festivals for Muslims all over the world.

Loosely translated, Eid al-Adha means the Festival of Sacrifice. The purpose of the Eid al-Adha festival is to remind Muslims of the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to offer his son as a sacrifice as ordered by God.

Source: TUKO.co.ke