Madaraka Day: Kenya 2023: Date, History, Facts about Kenya

In the Republic of Kenya, Madaraka Day, also known as Self-Governance Day, is observed annually on June 1. This day commemorates the day in 1963 when Kenya attained internal self-government, marking its first independence from the United Kingdom. Nationwide, Kenyans commemorate this day by attending military parades and other government-sponsored festivals.

The background of Madaraka Day: Kenya

Kenya is a territory in Eastern Africa with a history that dates back millions of years. Archaeologists and historians have discovered fossils and evidence of human existence in the region that are older than two million years. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Masai, an indigenous group that still resides in Kenya, seized control of what is now known as Central Kenya and prohibited all trade. In the late 19th century, the Masai allowed two German missionaries to reside in a nearby region. These were the only foreigners who could pass through at the time.

In 1885, Kenya became a German protectorate, and in 1888, the British Imperial East Africa Company arrived. In 1890, to prevent potential conflict and war, Germany ceded the littoral territory to Britain. Despite a ceasefire, German militaries did not relent in their demand for absolute control of the land during World War II. With the aid of the 400,000 Africans who had been mobilised to fight in the conflict, the British Indian Army was able to regain control and redeploy its forces. Kenya received its official designation and became a British colony in 1920.

In June 1963, the country obtained internal autonomy for the first time since 1920. The Kenya Independence Act of 1963 signifies that Kenya declared its independence from the United Kingdom. Kenya was not officially proclaimed a republic and given its current name, the Republic of Kenya, until December of the following year, 1964. In Swahili, ‘Madaraka’ means ‘authority,’ which is why June 1 has been designated as Madaraka Day.

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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT KENYA

Did you know that the United States has approximately fifty reserves and national parks?

Despite having only two official languages, Swahili and English, Kenyans speak over sixty different languages.

Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan, became the first woman in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

Coffee is a commodity in Kenya and one of the country’s most valuable exports; however, the average Kenyan does not consume coffee because it is prohibitively expensive.

Many of the finest runners in the world are from Kenya, and they have broken world records in marathons around the globe.

MADARAKA DAY: KENYA DATES