Kenyans will be singing an anthem worth 40 million shillings

On 3rd December 2010, at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania, the 12th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of States Summit presented a key resolution in its communique, whose effect would come to dominate Kenyan news six years later. Resolution 29 of the Summit noted the approval of the East African Community anthem, officially known as Wimbo wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki.  

The 4 year journey to this milestone began in 2006 which cost the EAC Community the equivalent of 40 million Kenyan shillings. The search for a regional anthem saw a number of revisions and 3 deferments from the Summit to have it reflect the aspirations of the community. Notably, compatriot Richard Khadambi won the 2005 regional competition to compose the anthem.