By Our Reporter | Wajir Today | Thursday, 12 March 2026

Senior national government officials on Thursday toured key infrastructure projects in Wajir County as preparations intensify for the national Madaraka Day celebrations scheduled for June 1, which will be hosted in Wajir for the first time.

The inspection team, led by Principal Secretary Internal Security Raymond Omollo, visited the ongoing expansion works at Wajir International Airport, the construction site of the county’s new stadium, and the county commissioner’s residence, which will host a presidential luncheon during the national event.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, Omollo said the visit aimed to evaluate progress on several critical facilities that will support the celebrations and improve long-term infrastructure in the county.

“Our mission today was to assess three critical facilities as we prepare for the next Madaraka Day celebrations, which will be hosted here in Wajir County,” Omollo said.

He noted that major upgrades are underway at Wajir International Airport to accommodate the expected influx of visitors during the national holiday.

The works include expansion of the airport’s terminal building, improvements to the taxiway, and rehabilitation of the runway.

Authorities also plan to separate military and civilian operations at the airport to ease passenger movement and enhance operational efficiency.

“There is quite a lot of work that is expected to be done as part of that expansion process,” Omollo said, adding that the improvements will facilitate smoother transport into and out of Wajir.

The delegation also inspected the construction of a new stadium in Wajir town, which will host the main Madaraka Day celebrations.

According to the Principal Secretary Department of Defence Dr. Patrick Mariru, the facility is currently about 10 percent complete but construction has been accelerated to meet the national event deadline.

“We are doing a 24-hour shift so that we are able to work during the day and at night,” Mariru said. “Just to assure the people of Wajir, this region and the country, the stadium will be ready for June 1.”

He said more than 400 workers are currently employed daily at the construction site, providing short-term economic opportunities for residents in the region.

The stadium project was launched a few weeks ago by William Ruto during a visit to Wajir, with the aim of delivering a modern sports facility that can serve the county beyond the national celebrations.

In addition to the stadium and airport works, the national government is planning improvements to other infrastructure around Wajir town, including access roads, street lighting, electricity connections and water supply.

Officials say the upgrades are intended not only to support the national event but also to leave a lasting development impact in the region.

The Principal Secretary State Department For Aviation And Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika said the government had committed the resources necessary to complete the airport expansion within the required timeframe.

“The airport is very important, especially for that day because we expect a lot of Kenyans to be here for Madaraka Day,” Mbaika said. “We have the resources, the personnel and everything required to ensure the project is completed.”

Local leaders welcomed the national government’s investment, saying the projects will significantly improve infrastructure in Wajir County.

Wajir County Deputy Governor Ahmed Muhumed said hosting the national celebrations would be a historic moment for the county and the wider northeastern region.

“We really appreciate the national government for making these tremendous improvements in facilities in Wajir County,” he said. “Hosting His Excellency the President here on June 1 is historic and beneficial for our people in many ways.”

Muhumed noted that the projects were not stand-alone initiatives but were linked to broader infrastructure improvements, including electricity upgrades that the county has long sought.

He urged national authorities to fast-track additional commitments, including power supply improvements that had been pledged during the president’s earlier visit to launch the government’s development programmes in the county.