Kenya is set to hold the inaugural celebrations of International Minorities Rights Day on December 18, 2023.
Following an announcement by the government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Friday, this will be the first time for the country to honour such celebrations since declarations in 1992.
Mwaura, in a statement, noted that celebrations with respect to the international minorities rights day would be held at Bomas, Nairobi, starting from 10.00 am.
“On this day, Kenya will be joining other nations across the globe to mark the commitments countries have made to promote the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion not only as mechanisms for National Unity but also as a means of broad-based global acceptance and solidarity,” read part of the statement.
With this the government is calling for active engagement from the public, inviting everyone for the championship of the minority quest to join in the festivity.
“Representation and participation in the event will be inclusive with participants drawn from various communities from different counties in Kenya,” Mwaura indicated.
The communities represented will be given a chance to celebrate through the display of cultural artefacts, songs, and dances.
The event will now be held annually, following the inaugural event as the country seeks to build a platform to demonstrate national and international solidarity with minority groups.
International Minority Day was first adopted by the United Nations on December 18, 1992, with several countries observing the day.
The day is more popular in India, as they have a well-set up system, with a government body, the National Commission for Minorites, that further champions the same course.
In Africa, Kenya is going to be the second country after Namibia to observe the day formally.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura did not disclose dignitaries to grace the event at Bomas.
