Malawian president speaks on relationship between Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Hastings Kamuzu Banda

KIRINYAGA,Kenya, Oct, 20 – Apart from the historical significance of the Mashujaa Day celebrations that were held at the newly revamped Wang’uru International Stadium in Kirinyaga County – The county also played host to president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Chief Guest for the annual celebrations, Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera.

Chakwera, who was elected president after defeating Incumbent president Peter Mutharika during the 2020 elections, is in the country for a three day state visit.

The Malawian Head of State, who is accompanied by First Lady Mrs Monica Chakwera, will be officially received at State House, Nairobi by their hosts President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Thursday, October, 21.

During his speech at the Mashujaa Day Celebrations, Chakwera sought to honour Kenya’s historical heroes and freedom fighters, particularly those that sacrificed,even their lives in order to break the yoke of colonialism, securing the country’s independence from British Rule.

“I am honoured to join you in celebrating those who fought for Kenya’s freedom and continue to fight for Kenya’s transformation at various levels,” Said President Chakwera.

It was the deep-rooted, historical camaraderie between both the country’s founding fathers, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Malawi’s Hastings Kamuzu Banda that Chakwera sought to reignite as the two countries enter a new era of friendship.

Both Kenya and Malawi were colonised by the British.

“Kenya’s joy is Malawi’s joy. For us the struggle for independence in Kenya and Malwai is one of the things that bind us together. The struggle for independence in Kenya and Malawi was layered by patriots who sacrificed their freedoms to safeguard ours….it was the fight against the same foreign oppressor, “ He said.

According to historical records, Malawi’s future president Dr. Banda met Mzee Jomo Kenyatta while studying in The United Kingdom – It is here where he is also said to have met other African Nationalist agitating for an end to British rule and independence.

A long friendship would therefore be established until both countries secured her independence with Mzee Kenyatta and Banda becoming Prime Minister and subsequently presidents of their respective nations.

“Within less than five years of Kenya and Malawi gaining their independence, founding father of Kenya hosted the founding father of Malawi here in Kenya in a joyous October like this one today..”

Their friendship is said to have blossomed further as they both on occasions deliberated on how to spearhead their countries into the future, post independence visiting each other’s nations numerous times – As well as encouraging the spirit of Pan-Africanism as a wave of change was sweeping the continent.

Banda visited Kenya in 1978 following the death of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

The longtime Malawian president died in 1978 while in South Africa.

In Malawi at least three roads in three different cities: Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre are named after Kenya’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

Equally in the country’s capital Nairobi within its Central Busness District, a street (Banda Street) has been named after Malawi’s founding father Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

“Even today, it is no accident that when my government was deciding which road in Malawi’s capital to upgrade to a multi lane highway, before any other, the obvious choice was the Kenyatta drive that connects Malawi’s house of parliament to Malawi’s largest hospital,” Said Chakwera who further noted that, “All this is because the founders of my nation wanted to make it clear for generations to come that those celebrated as heroes in Kenya’s struggle for independence are celebrated as heroes in Malawi…and Mzee Jomo Kenyatta epitomises all such heroes and many I am learning about today…” He said.

Chakwera said that the two nations will now seek to renew their brotherhood, in the wake of the struggles they face amidst a global pandemic insisting that,”By celebrating this day together we rekindle the flames of love and friendship between our peoples,”