President Kenyatta Sends Christmas Message to Kenyans

President Kenyatta has sent a message to Kenyans as they celebrate this year's Christmas festival.

In a message sent from State House, President Uhuru has called on Kenyans to celebrate the festive season responsibly and to reach out to the needy in society.

His message comes hours after he traveled to Mombasa for Christmas holiday, via Standard Gauge Railway, together with First Lady Margaret and their family.

Here is President Uhuru's full Christmas message to Kenyans:

As a successful year filled with blessings draws to a close, Kenyans from all walks of life and of all faiths gather with family and friends to celebrate Christmas and the Festive Season.

As we celebrate this holiday, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the blessings and favor of the year gone by, while preparing for an even more prosperous year ahead.

The Christmas Story, a tale of promise, hope, family and blessings; resonates just as powerfully today as it did more than two thousand years ago.

It is a message of destiny and hope for a better tomorrow, of the greatest of things beginning from the most humble of beginnings, a message of purity, love and warmth that brings light and cheer to all the World.

Christmas is a welcome reminder that we are all children of a Loving God, who wants us to follow His ways always. Our Saviour calls on all of us to do good to all and to live every day in service of others.

When we commit our heart and our hands to making the world around us a better place for all, we are fulfilling the promise that began in that humble Manger in Bethlehem all those Millennia ago.

The true gifts of Christmas are not material but rather the opportunity to share the festive season with those whom we love and cherish.

As you celebrate with family and friends during this Festive Season, I urge all Kenyans to do so responsibly. I also call on all Kenyans to remember the less fortunate and to spread to them festive cheer by sharing with them the love and blessings of the Season.

On behalf of Margaret and our entire Family, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. May God Bless You All and our beloved Nation, Kenya.