FOR HEROES AND HEROINES

21st October 2010
Ouma Edwin Lawrence keenly followed the Mashujaa Day proceedings from Nyayo National Stadium and gives us his perspective

Yesterday was the first ever Mashujaa Day (which replaced Kenyatta Day), one among the only three national holidays recognized by the constitution of Kenya.
Led by President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenyans gathered at the Nyayo National Stadium to recognize and appreciate both the pre-independence and post-independence national heroes who have played a significant role in the development of this country.
In his speech the president congratulated all those who took part in the struggle for independence and declared them national heroes. He also recognized Kenyans who have excelled in various fields such as sports, academics, business and economic developments as phenomenal achievers. He also said that the government will erect a hero’s monument at the heroes’ corner at Uhuru Gardens, to honor the heroes.
On the part of the government commitment towards the vision 2030, the president said they are committed to expand the education sector, ensure food security, and improve all infrastructures country wide. He further urged Kenyans to plant trees, harvest and store rain water to address the issue of climate change.
President Kibaki his remarks concluded by urging all Kenyans, irrespective of gender, to come forth and take part in nation building.

The prime minister on his part thanked Kenyans for giving Kenya a new face by passing the new constitution. He briefed Kenyans on the history of colonialism in Kenya starting from the Missionaries, British Imperialists, governors and finally the soldiers who colonized the country. He also told Kenyans that Police brutality is now an issue of the past, put land grabbers on notice and further urged Kenyans to obey the law but beware of neo-colonialism.
The vice-president, on his part, thanked Kenyans for giving change a chance through the recently promulgated constitution.
The entertainment segment attracted presentations from the state house choir, songs from kikuyu, luhya and a harvest song from the Taita. A presentation from Kenya’s joint university choir (including the Moi University Choir): a song incorporated with a poem for Kenyan heroes and crowned by a performance from Jimmy Gait, a renowned gospel musician.