Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama Adama is the Chief Guest at this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, joining thousands of Kenyans at Nyayo Stadium as the nation marks 62 years since becoming a republic on December 12, 1964.

He arrived in Nairobi on Thursday evening and was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale ahead of the national festivities.

President William Ruto, presiding over the event in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, arrived at 10am to lead the day’s programme. The celebrations feature cultural showcases, military parades, and performances by various uniformed services.

This year’s Jamhuri Day coincides with the full rollout of the government’s new model for themed national holidays. The 2025 theme—Tourism, Wildlife, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)—underscores the administration’s effort to elevate these sectors into major drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said President Ruto is expected to unveil significant policy reforms during his address, signalling a renewed strategy to position Kenya as a premier destination for tourism and business events.

“These announcements will anchor the next phase of transforming Kenya’s tourism sector,” Miano said during a partners’ breakfast ahead of the Kenya Tourism, Wildlife, and MICE Week.

The upcoming reforms build on the Magical Kenya brand refresh unveiled in September. The update is guided by a 23-member Brand Kenya Task Force chaired by Mary-Ann Musangi, which is benchmarking Kenya against global tourism leaders to deliver a modernised branding strategy aligned with Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Miano noted that the refreshed brand aims to unify the country’s tourism marketing under one strong national identity.

“For a long time, the sector has been fragmented, with players marketing individually rather than projecting one strong Kenya brand. The refresh brings everyone together,” she said.

Nyayo Stadium is packed with Kenyans from across the country, eager to take part in the annual celebration of independence, heritage, and national progress. Choreographed performances, military displays, and tourism-themed presentations anchor the day’s events.

President Ruto is expected to highlight ongoing reforms, priority areas for 2025, and Kenya’s expanding global footprint as the nation reflects on more than six decades of republic status.