December 12, 1964: Jamhuri day. Kenya becomes a republic exactly one year after independence and Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta becomes the first President of the Republic of Kenya. Here, President Jomo Kenyatta and Brig. Joseph Ndolo Commander of the Kenya Army, take the salute at the march-past during Jamhuri Day celebrations on 12/12/1967. All roads to Jamhuri Park in Nairobi were blocked as people of all races flocked to watch and listen to President Kenyatta deliver his Jamhuri Day speech.