Jamhuri Day, celebrated on Friday, was a reminder of who we are as Kenyans, and who we promised to become. But as the flags come down and the speeches fade, a harder question remains: Are we still walking the path our freedom fighters set for us?
Truth is, not quite.
Jamhuri was meant to open doors of opportunities for every Kenyan. It was meant to lift the nation, not a few. Yet, many Kenyans, especially in marginalised regions, still live with the same struggles their parents faced at Independence.
Poverty that bites. Disease that weakens. Ignorance that steals futures. In some places, life feels unchanged or, worse, forgotten.
Our founders left us a clear message: put country before self.
Leaders must now hold fast to that vision. Not lose it in political heat. Not bury it under private interests. Politics will always have noise, but service must remain the signal.
Kenya needs leaders who see beyond the next election cycle. Leaders who protect public resources. Leaders who understand that every wasted opportunity is a wound on the nation.
Education remains our most powerful weapon. It breaks poverty. It strengthens communities. It frees the mind. But it must reach every corner—urban and rural, centre and periphery—if we are to conquer the challenges our founders fought to end.
So this weekend, after Jamhuri, we reflect. Freedom is not a holiday. It is a duty. It demands honesty, courage and care for all Kenyans. Let us move forward with purpose. Let us rebuild the promise of independence. And let us, leaders and citizens alike, choose the country first always.
Quote of the Day: “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —South African President F W de Klerk met with Nelson Mandela on December 13, 1990, to discuss the end of apartheid
