Roundup: Kenyans mark heroes' day amid calls for vigilance, unity

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta led the nation in marking Heroes Day on Tuesday amid calls for peace and unity and strict vigilance to thwart off emerging security challenges.

The celebrations which were marked across the country saw Kenyatta urge political leaders at all levels to avoid utterances that may undermine peace and cohesiveness in the country.

Kenyatta said Kenyans should strive to build a better country at all times, saying irresponsible talk will only cause irreparable damage to Kenya's socio-economic fabric.

"While we must play our different roles, we must do so in a manner that promotes the unity and cohesiveness of our nation at all levels," he said.

The Kenyan leader also called for a sober and honest reflection on the numerous challenges facing the country ranging from terrorism to crime affecting homes and neighbourhoods and how best they could be resolved.

"Terrorism and radicalization of our youth represents an existential threat to our young Nation. Ethnic and clan conflicts, continue to undermine peace and security," he observed, adding that these challenges undermine national cohesion and integration.

Heroes Day (Mashujaa Day in Swahili) is marked annually on Oct. 20 in honour of Kenya's heroes who struggled for independence from colonial rule as well as modern day ordinary citizens for outstanding service.

The national holiday serves as a reminder of outstanding Kenyan men and women who have positively contributed to the country's history.

Apart from the freedom fighters, Mashujaa day is a day set aside to celebrate ordinary Kenyans who have made significant contribution in business, research, scholarship, and public service.

Kenyatta told the celebrations which were also attended by some heroes and diplomats that such challenges are a threat to both individual and collective efforts as they erode the gains achieved so far.

"They are diverting vital resources that would otherwise be used to grow the economy and improve the lot of our fellow citizens," Kenyatta said.

He expressed satisfaction that his government's efforts in addressing them are bearing fruit and through domestic, regional and global engagements new economic opportunities are emerging for Kenyans and East African residents.

The President said the Standard Gauge Railway which is 55 percent complete will be extended to Naivasha, about 90 km northwest of Kenya.

"In addition, the new container terminal in Mombasa will be ready by next year February. Meantime, the upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta international airport continues apace. We should have a modern hub in due course. The road from Mwatate to Taveta, having been spoken about for 50 years, has now started," he said.

He urged all Kenyans to collectively confront vices that derail them from the path of progress and prosperity.

Initially, Oct. 20 was known as Kenyatta Day, a national holiday in honour of the country's first president Jomo Kenyatta. However, after the promulgation of the constitution in August 2010, it was renamed Mashujaa Day.

This day marks the official beginning of the worst phase of colonialism, and the most harrowing period of Kenya's struggle for independence.

The brutality Kenya's independence heroes underwent from October 20, 1952 until the attainment of self-government ten years later defies imagination.

It is the reason that Kenyans have reverently emblazoned the national flag with the red of their sacred blood.

The Mau Mau movement was Kenya's militant resistance against British Colonial rule. It began in 1946 as a movement agitating for the return of African land and political rights.

On October 20, 1952, the confrontation between the colonialists and the Mau-Mau broke out as an open war. The governor decreed the state of emergency, requesting reinforcement troops from England. Enditem