Former president Uhuru Kenyatta received lots of well wishes from Kenyans as he celebrated his 63rd birthday this week.
The retired head of state had an interview with presenter Ankali Ray on Milele FM, where he shared kind words with citizens before making a sweet gesture to his first lady.
On the October 26 phone call, Uhuru began by letting everyone know that he is doing well and in good spirits.
“Kushukuru Mungu kwa hiyo miaka, kumshukuru kwa kuzingatia maisha yetu na kwa yote ametutendea (thanking God for the years, thanking Him for His care in our lives and for all He has done for us),” he said.
He then expressed warm greetings for the country, saying that he is praying for peace and unity.
When probed about how he would typically celebrate his birthday, the retired president jovially noted that it would be an inner circle affair as on most years.
“Kawaida nakuanga na family, na watoto na wajukuu, lakini kwa leo nasafiri kidogo, kwa hivyo bado niko kwa mikutano iliyonileta hapa(usually I would be with my family, children and grandchildren, but today I am travelling and have some meetings that have brought me here).”
He added that he would probably mark the special day having lunch with friends and colleagues this time around.
The presenter asked him what message he would want to give Kenyans, who may have missed his presence in the public eye, to which he doubled down on his wishes for peace and unity.
“Tujue sisi wote ni binadamu, sisi wote tuna mahitaji, tuwache mambo ya kuzozana, kuingiliana, tushikane na tupendane kama wakenya.. na wakenya waweze kusonga mbele pamoja (Let’s acknowledge that we are human, we all have needs, and let’s stop quarreling- instead uniting and loving each other as Kenyans so that we may progress together).”
As the 5- minute interview concluded, Uhuru had the option of requesting a track to be played, and even dedicating one to a person of his choice.
That’s when he asked for a romantic song to be played for his wife, Margaret Kenyatta.
The former president began by requesting Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe, a gospel song expressing gratitude to God to mark the big day, before adding: Lakini kama mnaweza niruhusu ninaweza kutumia nafsi hii kutuma wimbo moja kwa bibi yangu( If you will allow me, I want to use the opportunity to dedicate one song to my wife)…I Got You babe by UB40.”
The song is a cover done by the beloved reggae and pop band, released in 1985 to massive success, peaking at number one on the UK Singles Chart and reaching number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“I got flowers in the spring/ I got you to wear my ring/ And when I’m sad, you’re a clown/And when I get scared, you’re always around,” the lyrics go in part.
Nation reported that The 4th president of Kenya had resurfaced in public after months of speculation about his whereabouts.
A post shared to his social media page by his office showed him arriving in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 15th High- Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa.
“The retreat conveyed by the African Union (AU) Commission will focus on the impact and sustainability of the AU preventive diplomacy and mediation in addressing conflicts,” the caption read.
