Editor's Review

Russia has disclosed a message sent to Kenya's founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, after the country gained independence.

As Kenya celebrates its 61st Jamhuri Day, Russia has disclosed a message sent to Kenya's founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, after the country gained independence on December 12, 1963.

In a letter, then Chairman of the Council of Ministers in the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev congratulated Kenyatta, who was then a Prime Minister, for Kenya's historical milestone.

Khrushchev indicated that the people of the Soviet Union cherished the solidarity of Kenyans for the heroic struggle for independence.

"Mr. Prime Minister, allow me to congratulate you on the auspicious occasion in the history of your country, the proclamation of the independence of Kenya, and on behalf of the government and people of the Soviet Union and on my own behalf to convey to you personally, to the government and people of Kenya, the best wishes for success in the strengthening of political and economic independence of Kenya.

"The Soviet people have always cherished the feelings of solidarity with the people of Kenya in their heroic struggle for national freedom and independence and are sincerely happy that the Kenyans are embarking upon the path of independent state development," read part of the letter.

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File image of Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Khrushchev highlighted Kenya's independence as a significant milestone in Africa's historic journey towards freedom from the final traces of colonial domination.

He noted that the Soviet government was then ready to establish diplomatic relations with Kenya and exchange diplomatic missions at the ambassadorial level.

"The Soviet government solemnly declares its recognition of Kenya as an independent and sovereign state and expresses its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with Kenya and to exchange diplomatic missions at the ambassadorial level," Khrushchev stated.

He added, "Permit me, Mr. Prime Minister, to express confidence that the relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation, based on the principles of peaceful coexistence, will develop between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the independent Kenya."