Kenyans uncontainable after Burj Khalifa displays Kenyan flag on Jamhuri Day
Kenyans on Twitter were uncontrollable on Thursday night after photos emerged showing the Kenyan flag being beamed onto the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in United Arabs Emirates.
beaming the Kenyan flag on its 828 metre height while others were left questioning the cost of the display.
Photos and videos of the mall with a total height of 829.8 metres and a roof height of 828 metres made rounds showing the Burj decorated with the Kenyan flag causing excitement among Kenyans on social media.
In the video, the Kenyan flag can be seen rotating from the top to the bottom as elated tourists watched.
The display happened on December 12, 2019 when Kenyans were celebrating Jamhuri Day.
Ecstatic Kenyans couldn’t believe the tallest building in the world with a record 163 floors and 2 subterranean levels in parking took its time to honor Kenya’s 55 years of independence.
The entire Burj Khalifa was lit with the Kenyan flag in celebration of the day the country gained its independence just the way it lit for the Ugandan Independence Day in October 2019.
The cost to place a promotional advert or message on the façade of the Burj Khalifa starts from Sh7 million (AED250,000) for the three minutes during weekdays from 8pm to 10pm, rising to Sh9.6 million (AED350,000) on weekends.
For two to three minute impressions any night between 8pm and 10pm the price is Sh13.5 million (AED500,000) and for Sh 27.5 million (AED1 million) you can get five three minute impressions any night between 7pm and midnight.
In his Jamhuri Day speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to continue with the fight against corruption.
It is unclear whether Kenya paid for the display or it was Dubai’s way of celebrating Kenya, which has a huge number of visitors and workers in the flashy Emirate.
Here is a sample of reactions by Kenyans on twitter to the Jamhuri Day spectacle:
Questioning the cost
How much was paid for Burj Khalifa ad ? ?? #JamhuriDay2019
— Mundhir Abdirahman (@eastleighpundit) December 12, 2019
It costs 28 million bob to light up the Burj Khalifa for five 3 minute impressions or like 7 million for a single 3 minute display. Who approved this lol https://t.co/p8vDanB1CX
— ?????? (@kiruti) December 12, 2019
Consulates in UAE always request Burj Khalifa to display their National flags during the their Independence day celebrations…..But is it Free??
pic.twitter.com/YuB25D7CP1— Prokobanda. (@ItsKubasu) December 12, 2019
Yaani we have money to pay for the Burj Khalifa display
— Data visualization; Tableau (@Kimqaymoney) December 13, 2019
I wonder what you’ll say after we have been slammed with Burj Khalifa bill, my friend hii ni Kenya it might be free but I won’t be surprised if in future auditor General tell us we paid millions for it .#BBINonsense #ShameOnNairobian
— Eng. Tash Naivasha (@EngTashKe) December 13, 2019
Beyond elated
It was interesting to watch people celebrate the Burj khalifa tower because a Kenyan flag has a stronger meaning outside the country than inside the country. This is deep#JamhuriDay2019
— Chengo Wenslauce (@wensy_ke) December 13, 2019
It was interesting to watch people celebrate the Burj khalifa tower because a Kenyan flag has a stronger meaning outside the country than inside the country. This is deep
— Edd Eddie Eddiest (@Eddiest_KE) December 13, 2019
Kenyans are loved and appreciated worldwide just a small bunch of people that want us to look bad. Happy jamhuri day #JamhuriDay2019 #BurjKhalifa https://t.co/utbEf7nFvY
— Seth Kigutu Njiru (@NjiruSeth) December 13, 2019
This is great. The Beautiful Burj Khalifa in Dubai lighting up the Kenyan flag for #JamhuriDay2019. pic.twitter.com/U0rqcBPZDt
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) December 12, 2019
This could be kenya if corruption never existed #BurjKhalifa burj khalifa pic.twitter.com/p5yeZDXZ0r
— Fambo Famboya (@FFamboya) December 12, 2019