Sunday, August 22, 2010

Kenyans commemorate Founding Father's 32nd Anniversary

Written By:PPS/Maureen Wambugu , Posted: Sun, Aug 22, 2010



Mzee Jomo Kenyatta served as the first Prime Minister (1963–1964) and President (1964–1978).


A memorial service is being held at the PCEA St. Andrews Church in Nairobi.

President Kenyatta died in his sleep at State House Mombasa on the 22nd of August, 1978.

Upon his death, the then Vice President, Daniel arap Moi was constitutionally mandated to act as President for 90 days.

He became the first Prime Minister of self-governing Kenya on 1st June 1963 and a year later Kenya become a republic with Kenyatta as President.

He ruled the country up to his death and was instrumental in the country's struggle against British colonialists.

President Mwai Kibaki has called on all Kenyans to prepare to work hard and be united as the country prepares to usher in the new constitutional dispensation.

The President said that Kenyans should not be sidetracked from the great work ahead, since the new constitution offered them a chance for national renewal.

He appealed to Kenyans to prepare to usher in the dawn of a new era that takes the country forward.

Speaking Sunday at the P.C.E.A St. Andrews Church in Nairobi during the 32nd anniversary memorial service for Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, President Kibaki said the best way of thanking Mzee Kenyatta and other founding fathers of the nation is by ensuring that their vision of a great Kenya is realized.

"Mzee Jomo left us a great nation and what we are called upon to do is to ensure that we carry on with the work of building it further into greater heights from where he left," President Kibaki said.

Paying glowing tribute to the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, President Kibaki recalled that he was a great leader who stood firm on his principles and ideals of making Kenya a country that all wananchi will be proud of.

Said the President: "For the younger generation who are not aware of the great achievements of Mzee Kenyatta, I would like to encourage you to careful read the history of Kenya and you will see how great a man he was. Reading our nation's history is also important to help you understand the dynamics that have shaped our country."

The Head of State observed that even the suffering he underwent when he was detained did not blur Mzee Kenyatta's vision of the path Kenya should take in order to become a respectable nation.

He recalled that Mzee Kenyatta kept on encouraging all and sundry to embrace virtues that would ensure that the goal was realized.

President Kibaki also commended Mama Ngina Kenyatta, who was present, for her commitment in supporting Mzee Kenyatta's values and ideals.

Speaking during the occasion, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka noted that were the nation's founding father alive, he would be a proud person at this time when the country is ushering in a new constitution.

The Vice-President commended the President Kibaki for leading from the front in ensuring that the Kenya gets a new constitution, saying effectively President Kibaki will become the founding father of the new Kenya once the new constitution is promulgated.

Speaking on behalf of the Mzee Kenyatta's family, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta recalled the many relevant lessons for the country's development that the nation's founding father taught.

"He was a man who taught that the strength of the family lies in the unity of its family members, the same way the strength of a nation is the unity of its citizens," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also paid tribute to President Kibaki for his leadership into the new constitutional dispensation.

Delivering the sermon, the Moderator of the P.C.E.A General Assembly, the Right Rev. David Riitho Gathanju called on all Kenyans to play their part in ensuring that that the new constitution is implemented.

He urged Kenyans to involved God in every stage of the implementation process, saying God's guidance is essential in ensuring that the process is not derailed.

"Let's make God our make God our shepherd and our guidance. That way we will succeed in our endeavours," the P.C.E.A Moderator said.

The 32nd anniversary memorial service was also attended by several Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior Government officials including the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura.

Earlier, President Kibaki joined the family of Mzee Kenyatta, led by Mama Ngina Kenyatta, in laying wreaths at the mausoleum of the country's first President at Parliament buildings.

Other dignitaries who laid wreaths were the Chief of General Staff Gen. Jeremiah Kianga, the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Kenneth Marende, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Tadumi On'koko and the Nairobi Mayor Councillor Geoffrey Majiwa.

President Kenyatta died in his sleep at State House Mombasa on the 22nd of August, 1978.

Upon his death, the then Vice President, Daniel arap Moi was constitutionally mandated to act as President for 90 days.

He became the first Prime Minister of self-governing Kenya on 1st June 1963 and a year later Kenya become a republic with Kenyatta as President.

He ruled the country up to his death and was instrumental in the country's struggle against British colonialists.

No comments:

Post a Comment