By Abdullahi Jamaa | Wajir Today | Thursday, April 30, 2026

A senior government delegation on Thursday inspected ongoing preparations in Wajir town for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, expressing confidence that key infrastructure projects,  including a new stadium will be completed ahead of schedule.

The delegation was led by Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Dr Raymond Omolo. He was accompanied by senior officials from multiple ministries, departments and agencies.

“I’m joined by representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies that have a responsibility in ensuring that we have a successful national celebration,” Omolo told reporters during the tour.

He praised local teams for what he described as rapid progress since President William Ruto announced that Wajir would host the event.

“I want to commend everybody, particularly the officers on the ground who have worked tirelessly from the day that His Excellency the President made the decision that he will be hosting Madaraka Day celebrations here in Wajir County,” he said.

At the centre of the preparations is Wajir Stadium, a project being supervised by the Ministry of Defence.

“As you can see there’s been tremendous progress the stadium is now at 65 to 70 percent complete,” Omolo said. “We expect that the teams that are working here will be able to have this facility ready in good time, actually two weeks ahead of schedule.”

The completion of the stadium will mark a milestone for the region, allowing residents of northern Kenya to host the national celebration for the first time.

“So that the people of Wajir, the people of northern Kenya and the people of the Republic of Kenya will be able to for the first time celebrate Madaraka Day in this region,” he added.

Authorities are racing to upgrade critical infrastructure across the town. Road works are underway within Wajir and along key access routes, coordinated by national road agencies.

“There are roads particularly within Wajir town and also the roads that are coming into Wajir town that we are currently working on,” Omolo said.

Preparations also extend to hosting arrangements for visiting dignitaries. Renovations at the county commissioner’s residence, where the president is expected to host a state luncheon,  are more than halfway complete.

“That work is progressing well. We are at above 50 percent and we expect it to also be ready ahead of time,” Omolo said.

Efforts to improve water and electricity supply are also underway. Two boreholes are being drilled alongside water distribution systems, while additional generators have been installed to stabilise power.

“On the issue of electricity, gensets that were to be brought were actually brought and have been installed and that has helped to stabilise power supply in Wajir town,” he said.

Omolo said the government was satisfied with the level of preparedness, adding that a series of exhibitions and activities will precede the celebrations, focusing on education, skills development and youth empowerment.

National Investments

“We are telling the country that we are ready for Madaraka Day celebrations,” he said.

For the Ministry of Defence, which is overseeing the stadium construction, officials said the pace of work reflects broader national investments in sports infrastructure.

“Our instructions were to supervise the construction of the stadium. Two or two and a half months ago this stadium was an open field,” said Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru. “As you can tell,  we are 65, 70 percent.”

Mariru said similar projects are underway across the country, part of a wider push to expand sports facilities.

“What you are seeing here in Wajir is happening in every other county. from Busia to Lodwar to Kilifi. We are also finalising Talanta in Nairobi,” he said.

He described the decision to host Madaraka Day in Wajir as a significant moment for the region.

“It’s a big story not just in Wajir but the region that we could have this celebration in this northern part of our country,” Mariru said. “It just shows the vision and the direction that our president is giving.”

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi echoed the optimism, assuring residents and the national government that the county will be ready to host the high-profile event.

“As PS Raymond Omolo and Patrick Mariru have said, we are on course. I want to assure the public that we’ll be ready,” he said.

The county government has launched a clean-up and beautification drive, urging residents to take part in improving the town’s appearance ahead of the celebrations.

“I want to assure you the town will be very clean. We’ll do everything possible to ensure that we are good to receive high-profile visitors,” the governor said.

He noted that ongoing road expansion works around the stadium had required negotiations with some residents to demolish structures to create space.

“We’re paying them off and hopefully the remaining bit on the ring road can start immediately,” he said.

Abdullahi also called on residents to support the preparations, including maintaining properties along major roads.

“We’ll be coming to you to even require you to paint your house. When we bring high-profile visitors here and the whole of Kenya is here, we all must do what we have to,” he said.

Kenya marks Madaraka Day annually on June 1 to commemorate the country’s attainment of internal self-rule in 1963. This year’s celebrations in Wajir are expected to draw national attention to the historically marginalised northeastern region, even as authorities race against time to deliver key projects.