Kenyans mark half a century of independence from Britain

Kenyans celebrate progress of the regional economic powerhouse but also struggle to shake off a legacy of corruption, inequality and ethnic violence.

Traditional dancers perform at the Kasarani stadium in Nairobi during celebrations marking 50 years’ independence from Britain. Simon Maina / AFP

NAIROBI // Kenyans marked half a century of independence from Britain today, celebrating progress of the regional economic powerhouse but also struggling to shake off a legacy of corruption, inequality and ethnic violence.
Celebrations began at midnight on Wednesday with the Kenyan flag raised in Nairobi's Uhuru Gardens — meaning "freedom" in Swahili — in a re-enactment of the moment 50 years earlier when Britain's rule came to an end.
In another echo of history, the president, Uhuru Kenyatta, addressed crowds, as his father Jomo Kenyatta did in 1963, when he became the first post-independence leader of the east African nation.
"On this night 50 years ago Kenyans gathered at these grounds... that night was at once the dusk of oppression and the golden dawn of liberty," Mr Kenyatta said.
Today, anti-colonial rhetoric is being drummed up again, amid international pressure on Mr Kenyatta ahead of his international crimes against humanity trial early next year.
Mr Kenyatta, who denies all charges of masterminding violence following contested elections in 2007 in which over 1,000 died, has campaigned hard to have his trial at International Criminal Court suspended.
"I ask you this night to rededicate ourselves to defending that freedom and sovereignty that they secured at such great cost, and to resist tyranny and exploitation at all times," Mr Kenyatta said yesterday.
But for many Kenyans, the anniversary is a date to look forward rather than dredge up the ghosts of the past.
This week the World Bank cut its growth forecast for Kenya for 2013 and 2014 to five per cent, suggesting Kenya is drifting behind regional nations.
Gado, one of Kenya's most famous cartoonists, drew an image for the Daily Nation newspaper, showing a map 'figure' of the country holding a list of challenges faced in 1963 — poverty, illiteracy and disease — and again in 2013, including the same problems, but tribalism and corruption tacked on too.
* Agencies