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Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu

Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu” (English: “O God of all Creation”lit.‘”O God, our strength”‘) is the national anthem of Kenya.

History

Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu”‘s lyrics were originally written in Kiswahili, the national language of Kenya. The commission included five members and was headed by the Kenya Music Adviser. It was based on a traditional tune sung by Pokomo mothers to their children. 

It is notable for being one of the first national anthems to be specifically commissioned as such. It was written by the Kenyan Anthem Commission in 1963 to serve as the state anthem after independence from the United Kingdom. It was expected that the lyrics would express the deepest convictions and the highest aspirations of the people as a whole.

Lyrics

Swahili originalIPA transcriptionLiteral English translationEnglish lyrics

I
Ee Mungu nguvu yetu
Ilete baraka kwetu
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi
Natukae na undugu
Amani na uhuru
Raha tupate na ustawi.

II
Amkeni ndugu zetu
Tufanye sote bidii
Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu
Nchi yetu ya Kenya
Tunayoipenda
Tuwe tayari kuilinda

III
Natujenge taifa letu
Ee, ndio wajibu wetu
Kenya istahili heshima
Tuungane mikono
Pamoja kazini
Kila siku tuwe na shukrani

1
[ɛː mu.ᵑɡu ᵑɡu.vu jɛ.tu]
[i.lɛ.tɛ ɓɑ.rɑ.kɑ kwɛ.tu]
[hɑ.ki i.wɛ ᵑɡɑ.ɔ nɑ mli.ⁿzi]
[nɑ.tu.kɑ.ɛ nɑ u.ⁿdu.ɠu]
[ɑ.mɑ.ni nɑ u.hu.ru]
[rɑ.hɑ tu.pɑ.tɛ nɑ us.tɑ.wi]

2
[ɑm.kɛ.ni ⁿdu.ɠu zɛ.tu]
[tu.fɑ.ɲɛ sɔ.tɛ bi.diː]
[nɑ.si tu.ʄi.tɔ.ɛ kwɑ ᵑɡu.vu]
[ⁿ.t͡ʃi jɛ.tu jɑ kɛ.ɲɑ]
[tu.nɑ.jɔ.i.pɛ.ⁿdɑ]
[tu.wɛ tɑ.jɑ.ri ku.i.li.ⁿdɑ]

3
[nɑ.tu.ʄɛ.ᵑɡɛ tɑi̯.fɑ lɛ.tu]
[ɛː ⁿdi.ɔ wɑ.ʄi.bu wɛ.tu]
[kɛ.ɲɑ is.tɑ.hi.li hɛ.ʃi.mɑ]
[tuː.ᵑɡɑ.nɛ mi.kɔ.nɔ]
[pɑ.mɔ.ʄɑ kɑ.zi.ni]
[ki.lɑ si.ku tu.wɛ nɑ.ʃuk.rɑ.ni]

I
O God our strength
Bring a blessing to us
Justice be our shield and defender
Let us have brotherhood
Peace and freedom.
Happiness we get and prosperity.

II
Awake, our brethren;
Let’s all work hard
And let us give ourselves mightily
Our country of Kenya
That we love
Let’s be ready to defend it

III
Let’s build our nation
Yes, that’s our responsibility
Kenya deserves respect
Let’s join hands
Together at work
Every day let us be grateful.

I
O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.

II
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavour
And our homeland of Kenya
Heritage and splendour
Firm may we stand to defend.

III
Let all with one accord
In common bond united
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

 

East African Anthem

3rd stanza
Viwandani na hata mashambani
Tufanye kazi sote kwa makini
Tujitoe kwa hali na mali
Tuijenge jumuiya bora 
 

Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu

Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu” (English: “O God of all Creation”lit.‘”O God, our strength”‘) is the national anthem of Kenya.

History

Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu”‘s lyrics were originally written in Kiswahili, the national language of Kenya. The commission included five members and was headed by the Kenya Music Adviser. It was based on a traditional tune sung by Pokomo mothers to their children. 

It is notable for being one of the first national anthems to be specifically commissioned as such. It was written by the Kenyan Anthem Commission in 1963 to serve as the state anthem after independence from the United Kingdom. It was expected that the lyrics would express the deepest convictions and the highest aspirations of the people as a whole.

 

Lyrics

 Oh God of all creations 

Bless this land and nation 

Justice be our shield and defender 

May we dwell in unity peace and liberty 

Plenty be found within our borders 

 

Let one and all arise 

With hearts both strong and true 

Service be our earnest endeavor 

And our homeland of Kenya 

The heritage of splendor 

Firm many we stand to defend 

 

Let all with one accord 

In common bond united 

Build this our nation together 

And the glory of Kenya 

The fruits of our labour 

Fill every heart with thanksgiving. 

 

Ee Mungu nguvu yetu 

Ilete Baraka kwetu 

Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi 

Natukae na undugu 

Amani na uhuru 

Raha tupate na ustawi 

 

Amkeni ndugu zetu 

Tufanye sote bidii 

Nasii tujitoe kwa nguvu 

Nchi yetu ya Kenya 

Tunayoipenda 

Tuwe tayari kuilinda 

 

Natujenge taifa letu 

Ee, ndio wajibu wetu 

Kenya istahili heshima 

Tuungane mikono 

Pamoja kazini 

Kila siku tuwe na shukrani