Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Swahili pronunciation: [ɛː mu.ᵑɡu ᵑɡu.vu jɛ.tu]; "O God, of all Creation") is the national anthem of Kenya. It was one of the first national anthems to be written especially to be a national anthem. It was written by the Kenyan Anthem Commission in 1963 after independence from the United Kingdom. They wanted the words to show the deepest beliefs and the highest hopes of the people of Kenya.

Lyrics

Swahili original[1] IPA transcription Literal English translation English lyrics[1]

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.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Constitution of Kenya (b) The National Anthem". Kenya Law Reform Commission. Retrieved 2022-01-29.