Kenya - President Kenyatta invested as Knight in Nairobi ceremony, 24th March 1972

Kenya - President Kenyatta invested as Knight in Nairobi ceremony, 24th March 1972


President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya became a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem at a ceremony at Nairobi's State House on Wednesday (22 March). He was invested with the insignia by Marjorie, Countess of Brecknock, Dame Grand Cross of the Order.

The Countess said that the investiture was conferred in grateful recognition of the high patronage and constant encouragement the President had always extended to the Order in Kenya. The mantle was the outward sign of the President's known commitment to the service of the poor and sick.

The ceremony reportedly marked the first time that the head of a Commonwealth republic had been awarded the honour.

SYNOPSIS: Here, at Nairobi's State House on Wednesday, Kenya's President Jomo Kenyatta became a Knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. He was invested with the insignia by Marjorie, Countess of Brecknock, who's Dame Grand Cross of t??? Order. The honour was by direction of Queen Elizabeth.

A number of the Order's officials were present.

The Countese of Brecknock said that the investiture was conferred in grateful recognition of the high patronage and constant encouragement the President had always extended to the works of the Order in Kenya. The mantle, she said, was the outward sign of the President's known commitment to the service of the poor and sick. The Countess presented President Kenyatta with the vestments of the Order during the investiture.

A brief stop for photographs followed the official ceremony.

The investiture reportedly marked the first time that the head of a Commonwealth republic had been awarded the honour. It was made by mandate form the Duke of Gloucester as Grand Prior of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.