Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta today celebrates his 62nd birthday away from the limelight one year and two months after he handed over power.

huru, who has chosen a quiet retirement away from limelight, is remembered for a solid legacy transcending infrastructural and energy development, including the iconic Nairobi Expressway, which is used by about 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles daily.

Uhuru Kenyatta, who made history as the youngest Kenyan to ascend to the presidency, was born on October 26, 1961, to Kenya’s founding president, Jomo Kenyatta and Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

Uhuru had a chequered career in the public service, first starting off at the Kenya Tourism Board after which the then President Daniel arap Moi nominated him to Parliament and later to the Cabinet, where he held the Local Government docket.

He first vied for the presidency in 2002 but lost to Mwai Kibaki, the man who is credited with recommending to Jomo Kenyatta to name Uhuru after Kenya’s impending independence. Kibaki went on to serve for two terms, with Uhuru making history as an Opposition leader who endorsed the re-election of an incumbent.

However, following the 2007 presidential election, whose outcome was disputed, President Kibaki and his challenger, Raila Odinga reached a power-sharing agreement in 2008. The peace agreement propelled Uhuru to the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Cabinet.

In 2013, Uhuru was elected Kenya’s fourth President under The National Alliance (TNA) party, which was part of the Jubilee Alliance together with the United Republican Party (URP). He recaptured the seat in 2017 but the Supreme Court nullified his first election. A subsequent one was held on his birthday, October 26, 2017, and since Raila did not take part, Uhuru won the race. Four days later, he was declared president for a second and final term.

Infrastructural development was one of his biggest achievements during his nine-year tenure in office. His administration built over 11,000 kilometres of roads. It was also during his tenure that the Competency-Based Curriculum was introduced.

Since his retirement, Uhuru has curved a Pan-African niche for himself, following continental peace assignments in war-torn regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

Early this year, he was one of the key observers of the elections in Nigeria. The former Head of State was in the West African country in his capacity as the head of the African Union Election Observation Mission. The African Union (AU) had appointed him to lead a team of 90 observers drawn from various AU member States.

His last public appearance was in July when he came out to defend his son after police attempted to raid the son’s home in Karen, Nairobi. He later took a break and travelled abroad shortly thereafter before his low profile return.

Happy Birthday Mr President!