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Kenya's government has promised to offer an unspecified number of free scholarships to Kenyans who will attend Monday's Jamhuri Day celebrations - to mark the day the former British colony gained independence in 1963 as well as the day it became a republic a year later.

An official from the interior ministry, Raymond Omollo, made the announcement when he inspected a stadium in the capital, Nairobi, that will host the event.

The scholarships on technology certification courses will be offered to "any eligible adult attending the celebrations in person".

"This is a bid to make Kenya the top talent of the world and the region in the technology and digital economy," the interior ministry added in a tweet.

The free courses are being offered "in the spirit of the technology and digital economy theme" for this year's celebrations, it said.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has announced plans to hold parallel celebrations on the same day at a venue in the city - about 18km (11 miles) from where the official event will be taking place.