Joy was in the air on Kenya's first Madaraka Day celebrations

Former Kenya President Jomo Kenyatta at Uhuru Park on June 1 1963. It was the day when Kenya was becoming the last East African state to be granted internal self-rule by Britain. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

On Saturday June 1, 1963, you could have caught happiness in the air if you were at Uhuru Gardens.

It was the day when — after a tumultuous armed freedom struggle — Kenya was becoming the last East African state to be granted internal self-rule by Britain.