This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
On the 41st memorial anniversary of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's death, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared that the annual memorial service would be the last public event to honor the nation's founding father.
Speaking at the All Saints Cathedral on Thursday, President Kenyatta explained that the decision was made after consulting with his family members.
"As President, I have consulted the family of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and after consulting them, we have agreed together that this is going to be the last celebration of Mzee in this manner," President Kenyatta said.
Although the public memorial service will cease, the family will continue to celebrate Mzee Kenyatta in their own private way.
"We shall each celebrate him as we remember him, and in the manner in which we will be doing our things going forward," President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta also expressed gratitude to the second and third Presidents of Kenya, Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, for observing the commemoration of his late father without fail.
On August 22, 1978, Kenyans received the news of the death of Mzee Kenyatta, who died in Mombasa at the age of 82 after serving as president for 15 years.
