THE JAMHURI DAY - KENYA’S  39^TH  INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

A PARTY QUITE DIFFERENT

Kenya’s 39^th Independence Anniversary was celebrated on 12^th of December, 2002 at the Conference centre of the Sheraton Hotel, Via C. Colombo, Rome. Despite the cascading rain, which could discourage invitees, the party was a real success. The party was supposed to start at 19.00 Hrs., but twenty minutes before, some early comers started to arrive, in order to beat the wet weather!
At 19.00Hrs. prompt, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Bruce M. Madete and Mrs. Emily Madete who was dressed in an elegant traditional red Massai’s attire were at their post to welcome their guests. In less than half an hour, the whole room was full with, Ambassadors from other Embassies, private people, Italians and non. There were guests from Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Food Programme, and IFAD.
As usual, there was food and drinks very plenty, as guests moved from one to another to taste the delicacies fuming from the heated food containers!
While eating and drinking went on, there was a video show on Tourism in Kenya, and without doubt, Tourism organisation in Kenya, is perfect! Beautiful landscapes, green mountains, savannah, lakes, waterfalls name it and you have, and this make Kenya the ‘pearl’ of Africa’s Tourism Industries!
Kenya’s Tourism is very versatile, raging from calm and clean sea to drench in at Mombasa and Malindi, Mt. Kenya to take climbers to one of the roofs of Africa, waterfalls that will take away the breaths to various games reserves, etc.
Gone are those days when Tourists go to Kenya’s games reserves to kill animals as trophies, now it is possible to photograph wild life, colourful birds and come closer to less dangerous ones without destroying the beautiful animals! Tourism in Kenya also mean good food and hospitality as confirmed with the abundant dishes during the Independence celebration. Finally, Kenya’s artworks, and handcrafts are one of the best in Africa, to take home as souvenirs.
The celebration went on officially up to 21.00Hrs. but many guest continued to stay on to make sure none of the good food and drinks were wasted! It was a beautiful celebration, a difference to others in the past, for location,  big space and elegancy of the Sheraton hotel.
So, many happy returns of Kenya’s Anniversary!

                                                            Ben Oduwole
                                                who shot the photos