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Kenya turns 45

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 12 – Kenya marks 45 years of independence on Friday.

President Mwai Kibaki is scheduled to lead the nation in marking this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium.

“The day will be marked with pomp and colour with various artistes lined up to perform during the celebrations at the Nyayo Stadium,” a brief statement from the Presidential Press Service said.

Among those who will grace the platform include popular musician Wahu, who this year scooped three music awards including the prestigious MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA), where she emerged the best female artiste in Africa. 23 other popular musicians including Jua Cali and Suzanne Owiyo will perform the ‘Umoja’ peace song.

Similar events to mark Kenya’s independence from Britain in 1963 will also be held in other provincial headquarters countrywide, said the PPS statement.

The peak of the celebrations will be the President’s address to the nation, in a function that will include the usual military parades, fly pasts and entertainment.

“Other visuals lined up include the trooping of the colours by the 15th Battalion, the Kenya Rifles and the aerial displays by the Kenya Air Force,” the statement said.

President Kibaki is expected to arrive at the Nyayo National Stadium for the celebrations at 10.55am.

Nairobi Provincial Commissioner James Waweru said preparations for the celebrations were complete.

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“I urge all city residents to turn up at the Nyayo National Stadium for the celebrations,” he told a media conference in Nairobi on Thursday.

The civil society early this week vowed to mobilise Kenyans to demonstrate on December 12 should Members of Parliament refuse to pay taxes. The move came after MPs shot down a proposal to tax their allowances.

"We will be demanding that tax relief be given to all Kenyans now that our leaders don’t want to pay tax," said Mwalimu Mati, the director of a civil society group – Mars.

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