11 december 2006, by Waithera Githaiga in Nairobi - Jamhuri Day is celebrated in Kenya on the 12th December of every year, to mark the date of Kenya's independence. Jamhuri is the Swahili (Kiswahili) word for "republic" as reflected in the nations official name Jamhuri ya Kenya (Republic of Kenya). Jamhuri Day is generally regarded as Kenya's most important holiday and is certainly the most widely celebrated, marked by numerous cultural festivities which celebrate the country's cultural heritage.
This day is often associated with Dedan Kimathi, the executed leader of the famous Mau Mau, regarded by many Kenyan's as the hero who lifted the nation on his shoulders toward independence. It is at this time that Kenyans usually raise their flags high, showing pride in their country and their independence.
Jamhuri Day is a time for Kenyans to express their gratitude for their freedom through dance, feasting, parades, and other optional public events. All of the activities that are performed on Jamhuri Day are representations of the way Kenyans view life, and the values that stand within their society.

Unity

It is a vital day to the Kenyan people because it reminds them of where they have come from as a nation. During Jamhuri Day there is a recurrent theme of unity, which does not change as the feast, dances, parades, and speeches are all examples of being in unity with other people. With the many festivities that are going on, Kenyans keep a close focus on unity, which is an important value of their culture.
Family ties are very strong and important in Kenyan Society, and one of the things usually done on Jamhuri Day is the coming together of relatives to celebrate the independence of Kenya. The need of a close-knit family is stressed throughout this Kenyan holiday.   
Aside from the dances done on Jamhuri Day, there are also parades and speeches, the biggest activities that go on to celebrate this holiday are a speech by the president, and a parade. This takes place at the various stadia"s all over the country. But the president is normally at Nairobi and gives out the speech at Uhuru Park.

Speech

There are eight provinces in Kenya, each having a head known as the Provincial Commissioner, and then there is the President who is the head of all of the provinces, and the head of the capital province. He decides on a topic to present to the capital province, and sends a copy of it to the other heads where the Provincial Commissioners read the speech to the people of their province on Jamhuri day.
The other big tradition of Jamhuri Day is a series of parades that take place in each province. Kenyan police officers, army and navy officials will dress up in their work clothes, and carrying their work tools, parade around Kenya as a way to show that they have the freedom to work where they desire.
As music in Kenya continues to grow and evolve, and opportunities for young talented Kenyans increase, the future looks to have promise for progress. As the opportunities are evolving in the Kenyan society so are the ways to celebrate Jamhuri Day.
People are beginning to value their freedom, and the different ways that they can celebrate Jamhuri Day, which make the day more popular. As the basic traditions and ways Jamhuri Day are celebrated change, the basic meaning and of the day will always be very important, and therefore, a vital growing part of the Kenyans.

National holiday

Jamhuri Day is a national holiday, it does not carry any specific religious ties. The reasoning behind the lack of religious involvement is to alleviate any possible discrepancies about religion, because we have different religions in Kenya . If it were National practice to celebrate Jamhuri Day based on one religion, it is very likely that the people of the other religions would be offended, thus disputing the purpose of the holiday to unify. The only religious connections that are used on Jamhuri Day are the signing of their National Anthem, which starts with, ("Ee Mungu nguvu yetu, Ilete Baraka Kwetu") which translates, ("O God of all creation, Bless this land and nation).

Struggle for independence

Another cultural idea that is expressed through Jamhuri Day is the value of education and knowing ones history. Movies and videos are shown on the day before Jamhuri Day usually by families to educate their children on the history of Jamhuri Day, and Kenyans struggle for independence. The various media stations in our country also mainly focus on stories relating to Jamhuri day and its history a week before the celebration day.
This years Jamhuri day is marked with activities some of the events taking place are tree planting across the country, exhibitions displaying Kenyan made products, thanksgiving prayers in churches and mosques, promoting our local artists by playing and buying Kenyan Music among others. As Kenyans celebrate this years Jamhuri day we are happy for our Maasi Mara Plains a touristic attraction for being recognised as the 7th wonder of the world.