Today is a national holiday in Kenya, Madaraka Day, or “Responsibility Day,” as the Swahili word Madaraka means.
 
It falls on the day before Italy's Republic Day and refers to the event that took place sixty-one years ago, on June 1, 1963.
On that day, after a long bureaucratic process following ten years of battles, revolts, and civil commitment to free themselves from British colonization, the Kenyan “Shadow Government,” with Jomo Kenyatta as president, took responsibility for establishing the first internal rules, in short, forging the first draft of the Kenyan Constitution, which would later come into force. , with Jomo Kenyatta as president, took responsibility for establishing its first internal rules, in short, forging the first draft of the Constitution of Kenya, which would then come into force on December 12 of the same year.
This is an important anniversary, not only for its symbolic value (the first conscious step towards independence) but also because on the same day, the famous banner with the shield symbolizing those who had fought for independence, on a black, red, and green background, was displayed in public for the first time.
During this National Holiday, banks and public offices are closed and numerous celebrations and events are held throughout the country. This year, as the holiday falls on a Sunday, as is customary in Kenya, the holiday for everyone has been moved to tomorrow, June 2.
Today, however, there will be major celebrations throughout the country, with the official ones taking place at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County. Preparations are now in their final stages, with various activities underway at the stadium, including rehearsals for the security forces parade. According to the Ministry of Defense, the theme of this year's Madaraka Day is “Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.” A speech by the current head of state, William Ruto, is also expected on a date that historically precedes the presentation of the budget and the new financial year by a few weeks. The guest of honor at the parade will be the president of Slovenia, Natasha Pirc Musar, the first leader of the state that joined the European Union in 2004 to officially visit Kenya.