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Only Jamhuri Day is a holiday – Govt

Cabinets Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario said as it stands, Kenyans will mark the country’s 50th birthday on December 12 only/FILE

Cabinets Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario said as it stands, Kenyans will mark the country’s 50th birthday on December 12 only/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 25 – The government has clarified that only Jamhuri Day, December 12, has been gazetted as a public holiday, dispelling rumours of a three-day holiday from 11th to 13th.

Cabinets Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario said as it stands, Kenyans will mark the country’s 50th birthday on December 12 only.

“Nobody said three days’ holiday, I think people misquoted it. As far as I know the holiday is on the 12th, so keep that in mind,” the CS maintained, “if there is anything, it will be communicated through the right channels.”

The word has being going round that the government was planning for three-day celebrations to mark 50 years of independence but Wario termed this as rumors.

“People are even saying there is a gazettement, I have not seen that. What we are working on right now is for the key holiday which is December 12,” Wario emphasized.

He however said this was a great moment for the country and the government was putting all the necessary measures to ensure the celebrations are memorable.

Wario was speaking during the signing agreement between Kenya@50 and Samsung Electronics where the latter will conduct outdoor activities concerning the celebrations.

These will include provision of strategic billboards across the country as well as the panoramic digital screen at the top of Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) building.

“I know the issue about the screen at this iconic building has been tricky but I would like to clarify that the digital screen will only be used to talk about this matter. However after that, we will use it to advertise other major events taking place here. Remember we still have to beat our revenue targets,” KICC Managing Director Fred Simiyu said.

Simiyu comments follow the recent public uproar after adverts started running on the digital screen.

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The Sh41 million Samsung deal with Kenya@50 and KICC will run for six months.

Other events to mark the country’s 50 years of independence include plans to erect a monument of Kenya@50 at the Uhuru Gardens.

The government will also initiate a national tree planting campaign with the aim of achieving 50 million trees grown during the year of golden jubilee celebrations.

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