NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a week-long programme ahead of this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, marking the latest shift toward themed national holidays designed to spotlight key sectors of the economy.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano on Wednesday announced that the 2025 celebrations — set to run from December 8 to 12 — will centre on tourism, wildlife, meetings, incentives and exhibitions (MICE), reflecting the industry’s growing role in national development.
“Since 2022, the government has adopted themed celebrations for major public holidays. This year’s Jamhuri Day theme is tourism, wildlife, meetings, incentives and exhibitions,” Miano said. “Tourism is a major pillar supporting the economy through job creation, economic empowerment and foreign earnings.”
Miano said the programme will include exhibitions, live entertainment, fashion showcases, a food festival, and youth mentoring sessions. Nairobi streets will also host an immersive “park experience” aimed at exposing Kenyans to the country’s tourism products without leaving the capital.
“We have a whole week. We will be able to showcase products that our citizens will appreciate. We will have a park demonstrated on one of the streets in Nairobi, a food festival, fashion, mentoring sessions, entertainment and music,” she said, noting that a detailed timetable will be released soon.
The CS said the tourism sector is rebounding robustly, buoyed by increased international arrivals and strong revenue performance.
“In 2024, we welcomed about 2.4 million international tourists, and earnings were equally impressive at over Sh452 billion,” she said. “As we celebrate our independence, we are anchoring it in tourism — we could not have chosen a better moment to showcase the sector.”
This year’s celebrations will culminate in a national ceremony at the new Talanta Sports Stadium along Ngong Road, as earlier announced by the Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects in the Office of the President, Dennis Itumbi.
In his September briefing, Itumbi said the theme of Tourism, Wildlife and MICE will guide the planning, adding that a multi-agency team is developing a comprehensive concept for the events.
“Talanta Stadium will host the country on 12th December 2025,” he said.
The Jamhuri Week programme is expected to draw creatives, hospitality players, conservation groups, youth innovators and county tourism boards — signalling the administration’s renewed push to amplify Kenya’s cultural and economic assets on a global stage.
