Jamhuri Day is a national holiday in Kenya, celebrated on 12 December each year. Jamhuri is the Swahili word for "republic" and the holiday is meant to officially mark the date when Kenya became a republic on 12 December 1964. The country became a republic after gaining full self-governance from the United Kingdom, after gaining Internal Self-rule on 1 June 1963 and Independence on 12 December 1963. Jamhuri Day is regarded as Kenya's most important day, marked by numerous festivities which celebrate the country's cultural heritage and looks back at her journey to independence and self-governance. During the period between 12 December 1963 and 12 December 1964, Kenya was an Independent country but a "Dominion" within the British Monarchy, hence they had a Kenyan as Prime Minister and head of government, but the Queen of United Kingdom remained Head of state of Kenya. During the Jamhuri event of 1964, Jomo Kenyatta assumed Presidency of the Republic of Kenya, and the Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom ceased to be Head of State of Kenya. Sir Everlyn Barring also ceased his role asGovernor-General and representative of the British Monarch in Kenya.
The Trooping of the Colour of the Kenya Defence Forces takes place every Jamhuri Day. The ceremony begins at 11:30 after the President of Kenya, takes the national salute, and inspects the parade. The band plays a slow march followed with a quick march the lone drummer then breaks away to take his position beside number one guard to play the drummers call, signalling the officers of No.1 Guard to take positions to receive the colour. The escort for the colour then marches off to collect the colour as the massed KDF band plays the chosen Kenyan tune. After the hand over and as the Escort presents arms the first verse of the Kenya national anthem is played, then the escort to the colour marches off in a slow march to the tune of the British grenadier guards. The first tune normally played during the march is always 'By land and sea'.
