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20 key historical events that led to Jamhuri day

By MARIA WAMBUA December 12th, 2014 2 min read

Here is a countdown of the 20 key historical events that led to the country’s first Jamhuri day in December 12, 1964

1. January 18, 1960: Kenya constitutional conference starts at Lancaster House in London.

2. May 14, 1960: Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who is still in prison is elected, in absentia, President of the newly formed party, Kanu, while Mr. James Gichuru is elected acting president

3. February 26, 1961: People of all races go to polls in the colony’s first general elections amidst calls for release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

4. August 14, 1961: Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and his companions are released from detention in Maralal.

5. October 28, 1961: Mzee Jomo Kenyatta becomes president of Kanu and is given full powers to lead and re-organise it into an efficient, effective and disciplined party to win Kenya’s Uhuru.

6. January 12, 1962: Mzee Jomo Kenyatta is elected unopposed in a by-election after Mr. Kariuki Njiri Legco member for Fort Hall, vacates his seat for him.

7. February 14, 1962: The 2nd Lancaster House Constitutional Conference in London starts with Kanu President Jomo Kenyatta demanding that the conference must name a date for Kenya’s full independence.

8. April 2, 1962: Colonial Secretary Reginald Maudling presents Kenyan political leaders with his final 23-point draft framework for Kenya’s constitution in London and gives them 48 hours to make up their minds about it.

9. June 1, 1963: Kenya achieves internal self-Governance. A new constitution comes into effect. Kanu’s president Jomo Kenyatta is sworn in as Prime minister. In his inaugural speech Mzee Jomo Kenyatta gives Kenya the Motto ‘Harambee’, meaning let’s pull together.

10. July 26, 1963: Kenya’s national flag that combines the colours of Kanu and KADU with a shield and crossed spears at its centre and coat of arms bearing Kenya’s national motto “Harambee.”is officially introduced.

11. September 25, 1963: Kenya’s National Anthem is finally ready.

12. September 26, 1963: The third and final Lancaster House constitutional Conference on Kenya starts.

13. December 12, 1963: Kenya achieves Independence from Britain. The duke of Edinburgh hands over power to Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s prime minister. Kisoi Munyao hoists the new Kenyan flag on Mt Kenya, Kenya’s highest mountain, 17,058ft above sea level.

14. December 16, 1963: Honouring their promise to come out of the forest and surrender, several hundreds of ex-Mau Mau fighters and their leaders gave themselves up to the Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta at Nyeri.

15. September 11, 1964: Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta makes “back to the land “appeal to Kenyans.

16. October 1, 1964: A motion of no confidence” against the Prime Minister of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta by Mr. Masinde Muliro, Kadu’s deputy leader is defeated in the House of Representatives.

17. October 21, 1964: The Draft Constitution is completed in readiness for Republic Day.

18. November 10, 1964: Kenya becomes a one-party state. Kadu is dissolved and opposition members that included Ronald Ngala join the ruling Kanu government.

19. December 10, 1964: Mr. Oginga Odinga is named Kenya’s Vice-President in a cabinet reshuffle. Last British troops leave Kenya.

20. December 12, 1964: Kenya becomes a republic exactly one year after independence. Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta becomes the first President of the Republic of Kenya.