Unlike in 1964, Kenyans today have little hope for a brighter future

Security officers contain a middle-aged man who tried to interrupt the President's speech during Madaraka Day at Masinde Muliro Kanduyi stadium of Bungoma on June 1, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Kenya became a republic in 1964 and stopped being a British 'dominion'. One year after independence on December 12, 1963, Kadu dissolved itself, joined Kanu, and its leaders received ministerial appointments.

The country celebrated its first Madaraka Day as a republic on June 1, 1964 in front of Harambee House at a time of high expectation as well as anxiety due to many unknowns. There was also sense of confidence lodged in the person of Jomo Kenyatta or Mzee and his team of Kanu prima donnas. That confidence has since disappeared.