Madaraka 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
Madaraka Day is a public holiday in Kenya on 1 June and one of the national days named in the Constitution. It marks 1963, when Kenya attained internal self-government and Jomo Kenyatta became Prime Minister, ahead of full independence in December that year. Madaraka is a Swahili word for authority or power. The day is marked with official celebrations, flag-raising, the national anthem and community events in Kenya and abroad.
- Date
- June 1
- Next dates
- Tuesday 1 June 2027
Thursday 1 June 2028
Friday 1 June 2029 - Country
- Kenya
- Tone
- Celebratory
- Typical events
- Kenyan embassy and high commission receptions, diaspora association gatherings, school assemblies, county and community celebrations and company events around 1 June.
- Length
- 176 spoken words · about 1.5 min at 130 words a minute · 4 cue cards
The Madaraka 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.
- KARIBUNI1 / 4
Karibuni, and good afternoon, everyone. My name is {Your name}, and on behalf of {Organisation} it's a pleasure to welcome you as we celebrate Madaraka Day together. Whether you were born in Kenya or simply love it, you are among friends today. - WHAT MADARAKA MEANS2 / 4
Madaraka is a Swahili word for authority, or power. On 1 June 1963, Kenya gained internal self-government, and Kenyans took charge of running their own affairs. Full independence followed in December. Today we celebrate that first step, and the responsibility that came with it. - RAISING THE FLAG3 / 4
Please rise as our flag is raised, and join in as we sing Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu, our national anthem.
[FLAG RAISING AND NATIONAL ANTHEM]
Asanteni. Black for the people, red for the blood shed in the struggle for independence, green for the land and white for peace. Please be seated. - OVER TO YOU4 / 4
Madaraka is about taking responsibility. So before we enjoy the music and the food, take a moment to tell the person beside you one thing you would like to do for your community this year. Thank you for celebrating with us. Happy Madaraka Day!
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
- Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu is usually sung in Swahili. Print the words with the English version alongside, so every guest can follow and join in.
- Madaraka Day marks self-government in 1963, not full independence, which Kenyans celebrate on Jamhuri Day in December. Keep the two distinct in your script.
- If you cannot raise a flag indoors, place the Kenyan flag on a stand beside the lectern and change the stage direction. Make sure the black band is at the top.
- Madaraka Day belongs to all Kenyans. Keep the celebration non-partisan, focusing on shared history and community rather than current leaders or parties.
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
- Mashujaa Day · October 20
- Jamhuri Day · December 12