Happy Madaraka, Kenya

Madaraka is Swahili for ‘freedom’. June 1st commemorated the day that Kenya attained internal self-rule in 1963, preceding full independence from the United Kingdom in December 12, 1963. One year later, on December 12, 1964, Kenya became a republic, under the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first prime minister and first president.

Madaraka is a public holiday and Kenyan’s celebrate with food, song and dance. They take time for family picnics and games in the public parks; some plant trees in honor of the day. Many people take this opportunity to go back to their hometowns for the occasion, and often a big meal of goat or chicken is prepared for the special day. It is the first national holiday of Kenya, and is a time to remember the heroes who fought for the country’s independence.

Discover the new heroes of Kenya, utilizing sustainable tourism to preserve the culture and the wildlife and educate the people of Kenya.