One Kenya National Anthem, 2 Versions

The Kenya national anthem has 2 versions; one in English and another in Swahili. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Kiswahili version is sung a lot more than its English counterpart.

English Version

Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavor
And our Homeland of Kenya
Heritage of splendor
Firm may we stand to defend.

Let all with one accord
In common bond united
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

Kiswahili Version

Ee Mungu nguvu yetu
Ilete baraka kwetu
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi
Natukae na udugu
Amani na uhuru
Raha tupate na ustawi.

Amkeni ndugu zetu
Tufanye sote bidii
Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu
Nchi yetu ya
Kenya tunayoipenda
Tuwe tayari kuilinda.

Natujenge taifa letu
Ee ndio wajibu wetu
Kenya istahili heshima
Tuungane mikono pamoja kazini
Kila siku tuwe nashukrani.

Anthem is a Prayer

The national anthem is, in fact, a prayer where Kenyans beseech God to bless their country and protect them from foreign invasion.

The anthem is also a prayer for a peaceful, united and free Kenya. Kenyans also resolve to work hard to develop their country.

Listen to the Anthem

You can listen to the tunes of Kenya's beautiful anthem below:

When is the Kenya National Anthem Played?

The national anthem is played by a military band on national holidays such asMadaraka and Jamhuri day whose celebrations the President presides over. It is also sung in schools or churches as a hymn. In addition, it is played at international competitions while a Kenyan who has won a race is being crowned with a gold medal.

Typically, all 3 verses of the national anthem are played when the President is present while in all other cases, only the first stanza is sung or played. When the anthem is played, as a sign of respect to this national symbol, soldiers and policemen salute while civilians stand up.

Who Composed the Anthem?

Unlike other national anthems, the Kenya national anthem was not composed. It was instead arranged from a tune of a lullaby of the Pokomo tribe in Kenya by an Anthem Commission consisting of Graham Hyslop, George Senoga-Zake, Peter Kibukosya, Thomas Kalume and Washington Omondi. The Pokomo are themselves a small tribe who number about 50,000 and live on the banks of the Tana River in Eastern Kenya.

The final version of the anthem was recorded in English and Kiswahili in September 1963, in time for the independence celebrations held on December 12, 1963.

The Kiswahili version was sung by the Railway Training School Choir conducted by George Senoga-Zake, while the English version was sung by the choirs of All Saints Cathedral, Alliance Girls High School and Alliance High School and All Saints Cathedral Nairobi, conducted by Graham Hyslop.

Other Symbols of Kenya's Statehood

Other symbols of the Kenyan statehood are the country's flag (whose colors are black, red, green and white) as well as the coat of arms.

Return from Kenya National Anthem to Kenya Travel Packages Homepage