Our parents fought hard for our freedom, and they are the sole reason Kenya is what it is today—not only free from the years of oppression and hard labor but also climbing up in the world ladder.
Leading them was a brave soul, who not only stood up to the colonizers but was bold in speech, pushing his people to the greatness he knew they could all achieve.
It’s no wonder my grandmother always speaks of him, as a source of inspiration, and proof that no one has the right to look down on us or oppress us, simply because they have the ability to.
Born in Gatundu in 1897, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was the first prime minister and president of Kenya after it acquired Independence.
He played a huge role in Kenya’s fight for freedom from the colonial clutches.
He was the founder of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party and led it from 1961 to his death.
Throughout his lifetime, his words instilled bravery in our fallen soldiers, and they can do the same to us today.
Here is a collection of phrases from his most famous quotes that can inspire us in different aspects of our lives.
The list includes a number of spoken quotes and the rest from his book, Facing Mount Kenya, published in 1938.
Most Famous Inspirational Quotes by Jomo Kenyatta
- “Our children may learn about the heroes of the past. Our task is to make ourselves the architects of the future.”
It isn’t enough to narrate past heroic actions.
Our fallen heroes did their part in making today better for us.
The main question to ask ourselves should be, ‘What am I doing today to make tomorrow better?’
Because at the end of the day, that’s the only way we can build a bright and better future for our generations.
- “Where there has been racial hatred, it must be ended. Let us not dwell upon the bitterness of the past, look to the future.”
Whatever differences we had yesterday, it’s all in the past.
We need to learn to forgive, and focus on the future. That’s the only way we can truly prosper.
- “There will be nothing from Heaven. We must all work hard, with our hands, to save ourselves from poverty, ignorance, and disease.”
Nothing comes easy, or free, even if we are privileged.
We all must work hard to make ends meet. Otherwise, we won’t be able to improve our lives and rid our country of poverty.
- “Unity cannot be taken for granted.”
We ought to value our unity. We have seen how easy it is to disrupt the peace in our country, which resulted in loss of lives.
We have to give what we can to maintain the unity we all share, that way we can achieve peace.
- “The dead, the living, and the unborn will unite to rebuild the destroyed shrines.”
It has taken the hard work and determination of all the generations in Kenya to make it what it is today.
We picked up from where our parents left off, and our future descendants will continue where we leave the work.
- “If we are to live here in peace and happiness, racial discrimination must be abolished.”
We are all equal, Blacks, Caucasians, Asians, all of us are human.
We shouldn’t discriminate based on color and race. That’s how we will accomplish world peace and happiness.
- “You and I must work together to develop our country, to get education for our children, to have doctors, to build roads, to improve or provide all day-to-day essentials.”
Parents have a role to play in not only providing basic needs but also making the future look bright for their children.
Those children are our doctors, engineers, pilots, business persons, farmers, and more.
- “Don’t be fooled into looking to Communism for food.”
We have all heard the phrase, ‘serikali saidia!’
We need to learn to work hard to get jobs and food without relying on the government.
That is what freedom is all about.
- “God said this is our land, land in which we flourish as people…so that our children grow up in prosperity.”
We cannot allow ourselves to return to the days when our own resources were benefiting foreigners.
This is our land, we shape it however we want to, not allowing anyone to take control of it.
- “Those who feel they cannot do without English can as well pack up and go.”
We should embrace our national language, and not try to imitate Western countries.
And today, parents have a part to play, in bringing their children up speaking our national language, something we seem to be losing a handle on.
- “We have to learn by experience, and treat those who are citizens of this country alike.”
The era of colonialism came to an end.
We all know the phrase, ‘black lives matter.’
We want to be different, and give equal rights to everyone in our country, treat foreigners as our own fellow Kenyans.
- “Communism is as bad as imperialism.”
Denying people their rights is no different from colonialism.
For us to grow as a nation, individuals should be allowed to air their concerns, achieve their own goals and belong to whatever class their hard work earns them.
- “Today, we in Kenya are making our own history.”
From the dark days, our country has grown to an enlightenment that facilitates human interactions and communication, and we will continue to do so.
- “We are going to forget the past and look forward to the future.”
There is no point in thinking of what could or should have been.
Forgive the past mistakes, use them as a lesson on tomorrow’s dos and don’ts.
- “Europeans assume that, given the right knowledge and ideas, personal relations can be left largely to take care of themselves.”
We are fortunate to have been brought up in a society where personal relations involve more than just individuals.
Our parents have not only educated us, but have also held our hands in solving conflicts and having healthy interactions with others.
- “Missionaries taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible.”
Even in the toughest of situations, there is always a silver lining.
During the colonial era, our parents lost their land and freedom, but they received a gift they didn’t have before.
Look for those silver linings, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
- “Africa Is Conditioned To A Freedom Europe Has Little Conception”
Even in slavery, Africans still had a sense of freedom that the European countries would not understand.
This freedom was founded on their own cultural and social institutions.
- “Condemned In The Name Of Civilization And Progress”
Don’t let anyone take control of you simply because they say they’re improving your rights.
If you freedom of choice and justice are taken away, just walk away with your pride intact.
- “The Bible is not the property of one nation or of one group of people, it can be quoted by anyone, even you.“
We shouldn’t judge on the basis of religion.
As a united nation, it is wrong to go asking each person what religion they belong to.
We are all Kenyans, and we should work towards goals that help us as a whole.
- “If we respect ourselves and our Uhuru, foreign investment will pour in and we will prosper.”
We should never settle for less, showing signs of desperation.
Blood was shed for our freedom. Self-respect is what’s going to attract worthwhile investors.
