Jamhuri Day, also known as Independence Day or Republic Day, is a Kenyan national holiday celebrated on December 12.
It commemorates two events: the independence of Kenya from the UK in 1963 and its establishment as a republic the following year.
Kenya became a British colony in the late 19th century.
At the time, it was known as East Africa Protectorate or British East Africa.
During the First World War, Kenya became a British military base.
After the war the protectorate was transformed into the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, a British crown colony.
Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963 as a Commonwealth realm and was established as a republic a year later.
The world “Jamhuri” is translated from Swahili as “republic”.
