79-years ago, Emperor Akihito was born on December 23. He acceded to the throne in 1989 as the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession.

In honour of his birthday, celebrations were held at the Japanese ambassador's residence, in Riverside on Thursday afternoon. As his birth date coincides with Christmas festivities, this particular event is usually held days before the actual date.

Members of the diplomatic corp, senior government officials including the National Assembly deputy speaker Farah Malim, presidential aspirant Raphael Tuju, invited Japanese national, friends of Japan and members of the business community were present.

Japanese ambassador Toshihisa Takata reiterated the good relations between Kenya and Japan and wished for peaceful elections. The pupils from the Japanese school, Kenya gave a wonderful show of Japanese drumming traditionally known as 'taiko'.