The celebrations for the 53th Independence Day of Kenya, also called Jamhuri Day, took place on the 9th of December at the Hilton Hotel in The Hague.
Since 1964 the celebrations of independence from British colonial rule count to the most important festivities in Kenya.
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The Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Rose Makena Murichi, invited diplomats, businesses as well as all Kenyans in the Netherlands to celebrate this special day together.
The reception room was decorated beautifully with many Kenyan flowers as well as flags and a video showing Kenya’s beautiful landscape.
The festivities commenced with the Kenyan national anthem followed by a speech of H.E Rose Makena Murichi. In her speech she mentioned Kenya’s increasing importance in the world economy as well as rising FDI. She stated that “Kenya’s ranking in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’ Indicators moved from 108 in 2015 globally to 92th in this year ”.
Additionally, she highlighted the trade relations between the Netherlands and Kenya, which are focused on less aid and more trade by 2020. Furthermore, the Ambassador highlighted the nomination of the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr Amina C. Mohamed by the president of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Dr Amina Mohamed is an extraordinary African diplomat whose vision for the African Union is founded on the African continent’s blue print for socio-economic transformation.
In conclusion she thanked her staff for all the help in creating this “flower power event” and Anne Parkimain for preparing the food, which provided an overview of Kenyan cuisine. Following this speech, guests could enjoy refreshments, Kenyan coffee as well as incredible Kenyan food.
Among the guests in attendance were several Ambassadors accredited to the Netherlans, Judges from the various International Institutions, Senior Government officials and top Dutch business organisations.
H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abohaimed, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr. Per Holmström, Ambassador of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Jonghyun Choe, South Korea, H.E. Alvaro Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr. Taher Farahat, Ambassador of Egypt, H.E. Haifa Aisami Madah, Ambassador of Venezuela to International Organizations, H.E. Mr. I Gusti Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo, H.E. Jaime Vicotr Ledda, Ambassador of the Philippines, H.E. Ms. Rahma Salih Elobied, Ambassador of the Sudan, H.E. Ms. Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi, H.E. Petar Vico, Ambassador of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Alireza Jahangiri, Ambassador of Iran, H. E Mr. Nourredine Ayadi, Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdelouahab Bellouki, Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Ahmad Al Mufleh, Ambassador of Jordan, H.E. Mr. Bruce Koloane, Ambassador of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh were amongst the distinguished guests.
In the end, all guests were given a wonderful bouquet of Kenyan roses from Sian Roses, a top Kenyan Flower Company as well as various Kenyan handicraft souvenirs. 
