This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has made a historic announcement, marking the 41st anniversary of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's death in 1978. Speaking during a memorial service at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, the President revealed that this year's ceremony would be the last public commemoration of Mzee Kenyatta's death.
The decision was reached after consultations with the larger Kenyatta family, according to the President. He expressed gratitude to his predecessors for consistently honoring his father's legacy.
On August 22, 2019, President Kenyatta led Kenyans in marking the 41st anniversary of Mzee Kenyatta's death, which occurred in office in 1978 in Mombasa.
During the memorial service, the President emphasized the importance of leadership, stating, 'Leadership is not about where you were born, where you came from, the color of your skin or your tribe, it is just about a desire to serve, a desire to do good, a desire to make a difference in the lives of people and anybody can do that.'
As is the tradition, President Uhuru Kenyatta led the family members in laying a wreath at the Jomo Kenyatta mausoleum located next to Parliament buildings in Nairobi. He was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, as well as Deputy President Dr. William Ruto.
Deputy President Ruto praised Mzee Kenyatta for inspiring his compatriots in the freedom struggle and laying a strong foundation for Kenya through the harambee spirit and his slogan, 'Harambee (pulling together), Uhuru (freedom) na Kazi (and service).'
Other leaders who attended the commemoration service included Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, Majority Leaders Aden Duale (National Assembly) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Senate).
