Mashujaa day

Kenyans celebrate this Wednesday the first Mashujaa Day.

Celebrations are taking place throughout the country today. This day honours heroes and heroines of the nation’s liberation struggle.

The day used to be previously referred to as Kenyatta Day, from the name of Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta. But it was renamed for this year, especially with the new Constitution to come into force soon. Prominent members of the government asked Kenyans to seize the occasion to be proud of their heritage.

"Now more than ever, our country calls on us to love one another and to put aside once and for all the historical mistrust that has existed between us... above all, our country needs hope,” the Prime Minister Raila Odinga emphasised on Tuesday.

"Time has come for all of us to realise the dreams our fathers had for this nation,” said the Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Recognised as heroes of this struggle for freedom are the Kapenguria Six, who include Kenya’s founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Paul Ngei, Bildad Kaggia, Achieng’ Oneko, Kungu Karumba and Fred Kubai.

Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Njoroge Ndirangu also said that over 100 Kenyans who have made remarkable differences in the country will be feted.

Three years ago, the government constituted a task force to carry out a countrywide data collection on the criteria for identifying, recognising and honouring independence heroes, especially members of the Mau Mau movement.

President Kibaki announced a national monument will be erected in their honour next year. The National Heroes Monument will be established at Heroes Corner in Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.