Nairobi — This year's Madaraka Day celebrations set to take place on June 1 will be held online following the ban on mass gatherings in measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Madaraka Day celebrations are held annually in commemoration of the day in 1963 when Kenya gained independence from the British colony.

This will be the third National function event the President will be hosting at his official residence since March 13, when Kenya announced her first COVID-19 positive case.

This includes the National Prayer Day against the COVID-19 outbreak on March 21 and Labour Day celebrations on May 1.

The Madaraka Day production will be packed with entertainment and documentaries that highlight Kenya's culture and development milestones in the past 57 years.