Distinguished Guests, My Fellow Kenyans, Fifty-five years ago today, our beautiful flag was hoisted for the first time; announcing our pride in the independence we had won. It embraced our identity as a free people, recalled the sacrifices that had been made to win our freedom, and laid claim to our blessed land. Our national anthem was heard for the first time, praying for unity, peace, justice, and liberty; and then calling us to serve and defend our motherland.