ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT MZEE JOMO KENYATTA, C.G.H., M.P., ON THE OCCASION OF KENYATTA DAY

  THURSDAY, 20th OCTOBER, 1977

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

    

 •••• Exactly twenty-five years have passed since my arrest at Gatundu and the declaration of Emergency in Kenya. Since that time, a whole new generation has grown up and taken shape. This makes it more important than ever to make some deliberate emphasis upon the lessons which our history contains.

    What we should recall today is not the detail of our struggle for Uhuru, but the importance of its objectives and the sources of . our strength. All of us were dedicated to the principle of human dignity in freedom. At the same time, we were anxious and ready to exert the practical techniques of self-determination, applied to all fields of economic development and human welfare. When principle and practice were woven together, the achievement of Uhuru really meant the creation of national integrity and the driving-force of this creation was the unity of Kenya's people brought together in the spirit of Harambee. 

    Just a year after attainment of Uhuru, absolute national integrity became enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. Since then, our purpose has been to pursue the objectives, and to consolidate the sources of strength, which were associated with the struggle for Uhuru. 

   Total human experience can produce much evidence for appreciating that, after national integrity bas been secured, it is sometimes even more difficult to preserve it in a healthy state. Here in Kenya we have known a few differences and divisions over the past years, threatening to undermine the nature and potential of all our past achievements. But these problems, rooted in the play of human emotions and false ambitions, could all be contained. The ever-growing strength of our national unity has never been really endangered.

    There has been continuous threats and challenges of an external nature, throughout the first four years of our independence. These were created by aggression and subversion mounted by the Somali Republic against the Government and the people of Kenya. A full account of these events was published in April of 1967 as a Sessional Paper for international study. In October of 1967, at a high-level meeting in Arusha under the Chairmanship of President Kaunda, I approved and signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the neighbouring Republics of Somalia and Kenya.

     It was hoped this treaty between sovereign governments would bring in a long period of brotherly co-operation, for practical benefit of both our peoples, and in fullest accord with all principles laid down by the Organization of African Unity. But now, ten years later, it is surprising to learn that maps circulated within Somalia still lay false claim on Kenya territory, while accredited spokesmen refer to some alleged problem existing between Somalia and Kenya. 

     Let us be very clear about the present situation. My Government will continue to be vigilant at all times, and plans have been made .,.for the repulsion of aggressive threats from any quarter. One clear thing about the Republic of Kenya is that our national integrity would be defended at any cost.

      It gives me no satisfaction, as Head of State to dwell upon hostility displayed towards Kenya in any country with whom we share a common border. I would always and greatly prefer the question of neighbourly relations to be reviewed in useful contexts of trade, of technical co-operation, and of cultural harmony. But we have to be realistic about whatever attitudes or actions become apparent in other states. In so doing, and while always ready to support the noblest objectives of the O.A.U., the Republic of Kenya cannot and will not be diverted from the principles and aims which had earlier inspired the architects of our Uhuru. 

   We must constantly be ready to adapt policies to meet some changing circumstances. The break-up of the East African Community, for example, to which I have referred on past occasions, 6 placed burdens upon my Government that have bad to be transformed into the promise of fresh opportunity. Highly complex issues arose in respect of such services as airways and railways. These we must operate not only on a domestic scale, but also on a sound commercial basis. This will be done. Similar processes of consolidation are being applied to the operation of harbours and postal services. We have also established, as an independent body, the Kenya Court of Appeal. 

      As the rallying-call of this day, I invite you all to join me in rededication to the spirit and the strength of our past. The rights and freedoms we enjoy today, as one nation in unity, must continue to be applied in the cause of social justice. Let no man doubt that Kenya's national integrity has become a sacred trust, enshrined within the countrywide inspiration of our motto: HARAMBEE.

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