In June, New York City Mayor Eric Adams honored Kenya by raising the Kenyan flag for the first time in New York to mark Madaraka Day.
During the June 29 ceremony, Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of the moment and called for an awareness of the historical context.
The day is usually celebrated on June 1, but the ceremony takes place on June 29.
“To my people in Kenya, just as you fought for independence 50 years ago, you must recognize your success. When I went to Africa, one of the seven times I visited, I saw our ancestors enslaved, but I came back with the mayor, and there was an African who was the mayor of New York. You must never remove yourself from that reality,” he said.
The New York-born mayor, a former police officer, added that the raising of the Kenyan flag marks an important moment that symbolizes the city’s inclusiveness and diversity.
“Today we raised the Kenyan flag. For the first time in the history of the city, the flag was raised.It was raised because I believe this city represents all the groups and the number of countries that raised their flags here for the first time,” Mayor Adams said.
He emphasized that everyone in the world is welcome to participate in the New York experience.New York is home to just over 8 million people who speak 800 languages.
“When we fly this flag, we lift the energy and spirit of Kenyans, you are part of the New York experience. Your contribution, your commitment, your songs, your dances, your food, your culture, your energy is one with this great city greatness,” said Mayor Adams.
Kenyan ambassador to the US Lazarus Armayo and Kenyan resident in New York were also present.In his speech, he highlighted the strong multilateral relationship between Kenya and the United States. He urged US investors to consider Kenya, citing positive reforms and the existing favorable business environment.
Mayor Adams recognized that raising the flag evokes the energy and spirit of Kenyans, that it is part of the New York experience, and that the contribution and commitment of Kenyans to New York is an integral part of the city’s greatness.
Eric Adams was born in Brownsville in 1960 and raised by a single mother in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York.He experienced police brutality for the first time at the age of 15, when he was beaten by a policeman in the basement of the police station.
To turn his pain into purpose, Eric decides to join the police department and change it from the inside.He rose through the ranks and eventually entered politics.
