Jamhuri Day speech template (Kenya)
Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
Jamhuri Day is a public holiday in Kenya on 12 December. Jamhuri is the Swahili word for republic. The day marks two milestones: independence from British rule on 12 December 1963, and the establishment of the Republic of Kenya exactly one year later, in 1964. It is one of the national days named in the Constitution, and is celebrated with an official ceremony, the national anthem, music and gatherings of Kenyans at home and abroad.
- Date
- December 12
- Next dates
- Saturday 12 December 2026
Sunday 12 December 2027
Tuesday 12 December 2028 - Country
- Kenya
- Tone
- Celebratory
- Typical events
- Kenyan embassy and high commission receptions, diaspora dinners, end-of-year company parties, community celebrations and university events held around 12 December.
- Length
- 166 spoken words · about 1.5 min at 130 words a minute · 4 cue cards
The Jamhuri Day speech, ready as cue cards
A complete host script in 4 cards, about 1.5 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.
- GOOD EVENING1 / 4
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and karibuni sana to {Venue}. I'm {Your name}, your host tonight. It's Jamhuri Day, when Kenya celebrates both its independence and its republic, so we have two good reasons to enjoy ourselves. - TWO MILESTONES2 / 4
Jamhuri means republic. On 12 December 1963, Kenya became independent. Exactly one year later, in 1964, it became a republic. Tonight we celebrate both: the freedom to govern ourselves, and the republic that Kenyans at home and abroad have been building together ever since. - MUSIC AND DANCE3 / 4
A celebration like this deserves music, and tonight we have some of the best. Please welcome {Performers' name}.
[CULTURAL PERFORMANCE]
What a performance. One more round of applause, please, for {Performers' name}. Thank you for bringing a little of home into this room. - HARAMBEE4 / 4
Kenya's national motto is Harambee, which means let us all pull together. So, before we eat, let us say it together, as loudly as you like. On three: one, two, three. Harambee! Thank you, and happy Jamhuri Day. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Red is used only for names, titles, organisations, dates, times and section headings. Replace the words in {curly brackets} with your own details; lines in [SQUARE BRACKETS] are stage directions and are not read aloud.
How to adapt it
- Jamhuri Day falls in the festive season, and many organisations combine it with end-of-year events. Keep a distinct national moment, such as the anthem or the Harambee call, so it is not lost.
- Harambee, Kenya's national motto, appears on the coat of arms. Explain its meaning for international guests before inviting the room to say it together.
- Madaraka Day in June celebrates self-government; Jamhuri Day celebrates independence and the republic. Mention both 1963 and 1964 so guests hear the full story.
- For a formal event, open with the national anthem, Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu, before the welcome. Keep the rest of the programme non-partisan so every guest feels included.
Print and rehearse
“Edit and print these cards” opens the script in the free cue card maker, where you can choose A5, 4 × 6 or 3 × 5 inch cards, print several per sheet with cut lines or export PDF, PowerPoint and Word, and rehearse full screen in practice mode. To write your own programme around it, see how to write an MC script and the run of show template.
Sources
Date and background checked on 5 October 2026 against: 9. National symbols and national days - Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC). Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.
More Kenya speech templates
- Madaraka Day · June 1
- Mashujaa Day · October 20