As Kenya marks its 61st Jamhuri Day, Russia has shared details of a congratulatory message sent to Kenya’s founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, following the country’s independence on December 12, 1963.
In the letter, then Chairman of the Council of Ministers in the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, congratulated Kenyatta, who was then serving as Prime Minister, on Kenya’s historic achievement.
Khrushchev emphasized the Soviet Union’s admiration for the solidarity of Kenyans during their heroic fight for independence.
“Mr. Prime Minister, allow me to congratulate you on this momentous occasion in your country’s history—the proclamation of the independence of Kenya. On behalf of the government and people of the Soviet Union, and personally, I extend to you, your government, and the people of Kenya our best wishes for success in strengthening Kenya’s political and economic independence,” part of the letter read.
Khrushchev highlighted Kenya’s independence as a significant milestone in Africa’s broader journey to eradicate the remnants of colonial domination. He also expressed the Soviet Union’s readiness to establish diplomatic relations with Kenya and to exchange diplomatic missions at the ambassadorial level.
“The Soviet government solemnly declares its recognition of Kenya as an independent and sovereign state and expresses its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with Kenya and exchange diplomatic missions at the ambassadorial level,” he stated.
He further conveyed optimism about the future relations between the two nations.
“Permit me, Mr. Prime Minister, to express confidence that relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation, based on the principles of peaceful coexistence, will flourish between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the independent Kenya,” Khrushchev added.
Kenya’s independence on December 12, 1963, marked the beginning of its journey toward self-governance and national identity, with global powers such as the Soviet Union recognizing the milestone as a critical moment in the African continent’s struggle for freedom.
