The first time #KenyaFeb28 came up, I was against it. I don’t know what the idea was initially, but by the time I caught the TT, it looked less than savoury. That was two weeks ago, and we now have a different kind of #Kenya28Feb. I admit it, I was skeptical at first – I’m cynical like that. I read about Kenya Ni Yetu and rolled my eyes, but I realize I shouldn’t judge something I didn’t attend. So this time, I’m on the bandwagon. We’re singing the National Anthem. What’s the worst that can happen, right? *shrug*
I went onto the Kenya28Feb website, and it had a list of things bloggers can do to help. It says we should post the call-out on our blogs and put up a badge. I like the idea of Kenyans everywhere singing the National Anthem. I like the spirit behind it. So while I don’t see what good it could possibly do, I’m in. I can’t deny the pride I feel hearing the National Anthem played during Olympic medal ceremony thingies. It always makes me cry. So here’s to Kenya28Feb.
The organisers have explained it quite clearly already, so I shall simply cut and paste their words here. Wakenya hoye. See you on the 28th.
In the face of ethnic polarisation, a highly politicised atmosphere and the daily search for daily bread, it is sometimes easy for all of us to forget what binds us together, that we are Kenyan and that we are strongest when united.
In this perspective, a group of Kenyans, of diverse interests, political affiliations, tribes, religions and economic backgrounds have agreed to come together on February 28th 2011 and take a few minutes at exactly 1pm (East African Time) to sing the three verses of the National Anthem.
On February 28th Kenyans will come together and unite in the prayer that is the Kenya National Anthem, to celebrate their unity as a people, and to remind themselves that together, they can achieve much more. On this occasion, Kenyans come together, not to protest against anything but to stand for unity.
The idea is simple: Wherever we are, whatever we are doing at exactly 1pm on February 28th, Kenyans from all walks of life, will pause and sing the national anthem, led by participating media houses, church choirs, community choirs, school children, and musicians. Once they have sung all the three verses, they will disperse and continue with what they were doing – only energised by the strong spirit of kinship.
This is an initiative that belongs to Kenyans: aimed at uniting us under the banner of our National Anthem.
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm we invite you to join us in singing all three verses of our beautiful and powerful National Anthem.
1pm, 1 nation, 1 people, 1 anthem, united in 1 prayer for 1 Kenya
We have no agenda other than to sing the national anthem and to unite with other Kenyans to do so.
We want to show that there is more that unites us than divides us as Kenyans.
We want to celebrate our Kenya and celebrate each other.
Join us in singing wherever you are; at work, in the supermarket, in traffic, in school, on campus, in hospitals, in churches, in mosques, in temples, in synagogues, on sports pitches, in court, on your farm, at police stations, at armed forces barracks, in matatus, in buses, on the beach, in the gym, in your jua kali yard, in the game parks, at the airport, in parliament, in State House, in your homes …
Join is in singing whoever you are!
We are extremely proud to be Kenyan!
We are proud of our beautiful country!
We are proud of our diversity cultures and traditions!
We are proud of our heroes!
We are proud of our high achievers!
We are proud of being hustlers!
We are proud of our hoods!
We are proud of our tribes and twengs!
We are proud of our kanges and our mats!
We are proud of our artists and musicians!
We are proud of our industries and farms!
We are proud of our sports teams!
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, wherever you are, at work, in the supermarket, in traffic, in school, on campus, in hospitals, in churches, in mosques, in temples, in synagogues, on sports pitches, in court, on your farm, at police stations, at armed forces barracks, in matatus, in buses, on the beach, in the game parks, at the airport, in parliament, in State House, in your homes ..
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we stand
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we unite
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we shall speak in one voice.
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, let’s sing our beautiful and powerful National Anthem, all three verses.
On the 28th February 2011 the world will watch as Kenyans stand UNITED;
1pm, 1 nation, 1 people, 1 anthem, united in 1 prayer for 1 Kenya
We are Kenya!