Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu
English: O God of all Creation
National anthem of Kenya
LyricsGraham Hyslop, G. W. Senoga-Zake, Thomas Kalume, Peter Kibukosya, Washington Omondi, 1963 (1963)
MusicCollectively, 1963 (1963)
Adopted1963 (1963)
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version
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"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.[1]

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.[1]

Lyrics

Swahili original[1][2] IPA transcription[lower-alpha 1] Literal English translation English lyrics[1][2]

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.

Notes

  1. ↑ See Help:IPA/Swahili and Swahili language § Phonology.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Selecting Kenya's National Anthem". State House. Archived from the original on 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2016-07-31.
  2. 1 2 "Constitution of Kenya (b) The National Anthem". Kenya Law Reform Commission. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
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