President William Ruto presided over his first and the country's 60th Madaraka Day celebrations at Embu's Moi Stadium.
The June 1, 2023, Madaraka Day celebrations featured various activities, including a military parade, cultural performances, and a national address.
Ruto highlighted some of his achievements one year into office and the strides the country has made since independence.
Here are some of the highlights of the 2023 Madaraka Day celebrations.
Military parade
The military parade was held in Embu, Kenya, on June 1, 2023, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Kenya's independence.
President William Ruto inspected the Guard of Honour before the military showcased its artillery.
The parade was a show of force and unity, reminding the world of Kenya's commitment to democracy and peace.
National Address
In his speech, the President asked politicians to preach peace and deviate from divisive politics.
He also launched the second phase of the Hustler Fund - Group loans of up to Ksh1 million.
Madaraka Messages
A number of Kenyan leaders shared their gratitude and encouraged President Ruto's to press forward and ensure that the country achieves the Vision 2030.
"It has been 60 years since we earned internal self-rule, for which our forefathers paid with sweat and blood. It was Embu's turn to host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, and the county did not disappoint," Interior CS Kithure Kindiki stated.
"The unbowed spirit of Kenyans. The collective will to succeed and triumph over imposing challenges, the tenacity to keep slogging off long after the rest have given up, the ingenuity, the hustler mentality of never giving up was inculcated in our DNA by our forefathers.
"We are glad that despite numerous setbacks, we have a leader capable of inspiring our great nation into greatness 60 years later. Kenya is rising," Senator Esther Okenyuri acknowledged.
"Every Kenyan wants the same thing; to go about their lives peacefully to make something out of themselves and to guarantee their children a future," Nairobi Johnson Sakaja stated.
