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President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Sunday expected to launch a logo to promote patriotism and officially start celebrations to mark Kenya’s 50 years of independence.

A series of activities have been organised for the Golden Jubilee to be marked by different events stretching for a year.

The logo combines a lion motif and the Kenyan colours, organisers of Kenya@50 told the Sunday Nation on Saturday.

President Kenyatta is to lead the nation at reflecting on the country’s past, analysing the current situation and projecting the future during Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Sports, Cultures and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario who chairs the National Steering Committee that is organising the celebrations said; “The Golden Jubilee celebration is not about one day of merrymaking but a series of activities that shall positively impact the lives of Kenyans.”

The government has allocated Sh500 million seed money for the celebrations while the private sector is also expected to join hands.
Ms Saima Ondimu, the executive director and secretary to steering committee, said a number of progranmmes are to be rolled out culminating into a grand celebration during Jamhuri Day.

The celebrations are expected to ensure more unity among Kenyans, prosperity and help use the magical wonders the country enjoys to elevate it on the international arena. Fifty million trees are expected to be planted in a national tree planting campaign.

A National Sports Festival is also lined up, culminating in a sports fete in June next year.

A number of activities will also be held in selected countries “to focus on strengthening our economic pillars and enhance our brand presence globally,” organisers say. A new paediatric wing is to be constructed at Kenyatta National Hospital and Mathare Mental Hospital spruced up.

A scholarship programme will be launched to identify and support the most needy but talented children from across all 47 counties.

A foundation stone for Kenya@50 monument will be set up. Organisers further envisage branding of all international events that Kenya will be participating in and give support to activities or programmes in line with the celebrations.

A caravan with the Kenyan constitution and the original flag that was hoisted at Uhuru Park during its inauguration will also visit parts of the country to promote patriotism. County governments are to complement national activities by running simultaneous programmes.

SECURITY BEEFED UP

Government has assured Kenyans of security during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

The public and vehicles accessing the stadium will be subjected to security checks, Nairobi Regional Co-ordinator Njoroge Ndirangu said.

“Security agents have already secured Nyayo National Stadium ahead of the celebrations. Security officers have also been deployed to patrol the Central Business District and city estates,” said Mr Njoroge, urging Kenyans to also take charge of their security and surroundings.

Meanwhile, The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts, Mr Patrick Omutia, has said the ministry has continued to put up measures to honour heroes and heroines of Kenya.

“The ministry has published The Kenya Heroes Bill, which outlines the criteria and modalities of identifying, recognising and honouring national heroes and heroines. This Bill is before the National Assembly for debate,” he noted.

Those to be honoured, according to the Bill, will “include but not limited to liberation struggle, religious leadership, indigenous knowledge, cultural values and practices, arts, sportsmanship, scholarship, professionals and research, peace making, statesmanship, entrepreneurship and industry and philanthropy. People with disabilities will also be incorporated.”

Mr Omutie urged Kenyans to respect monuments built in honour of national heroes.

“I call upon Kenyans to respect these monuments and avoid any acts of vandalism. These are national shrines which should be protected at all times.”

“This year’s Mashujaa Day will be celebrated in a special way. As a country we are marking the Jubilee since we attained our Independence in 1963. It is, therefore, an opportune time when we are taking stock of the achievements we have gained since Independence. On the other hand we shall also reflect on the challenges we faced as a nation during that time as we focus on the future.”