By Staff Reporter | Wajir Today | Friday, 6 February 2026
The national government has launched an accelerated push to construct a stadium in Wajir County ahead of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, piling pressure on multiple ministries to deliver a fully functional facility within months.
Senior officials from the ministries of Defence, Sports, and Culture toured the proposed Wajir County Stadium site on Thursday, as preparations intensify for the June 1 national celebrations to be hosted in the town.
The delegation was led by Principal Secretary for Defence Dr. Patrick Mariru, accompanied by Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, Culture Principal Secretary Umi Bashir, and Kenya Defence Forces Chief of Special Projects Brigadier Titus Sokobe.
The inspection comes as the county prepares for a planned visit by President William Ruto, who is expected to lay the foundation stone for the stadium during his trip to Wajir for the Nyota Programme.
Dr. Mariru said the project is being driven by direct instructions from President Ruto, who has ordered the ministries of Defence and Sports to jointly deliver the stadium by June.
“It looks far-fetched, but come June you will find a stadium here, even with grass grown,” Mariru said, adding that the military will supervise construction while local labour will be engaged to speed up the work.
He promised that the facility would be completed on time, on budget, and to the required standards.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said hosting Madaraka Day is a major national responsibility that demands urgent and seamless preparation.
“This is not a small feat. Kenya’s entire leadership and citizens will be here on June 1,” the governor said.
He confirmed that county authorities have committed to support the national government and mobilise the community to help deliver the project.
The governor said the stadium is expected to be ready within three to four months and could eventually be upgraded into an international-standard facility.
Sports PS Elijah Mwangi said technical teams from national sports federations will be deployed to ensure the stadium meets global requirements.
“We want a stadium that conforms to FIFA, World Athletics and rugby standards so it can host international competitions,” Mwangi said.
He added that the facility is intended to outlive the Madaraka Day event and serve as a catalyst for long-term sports development in the region.
Mwangi said the government expects athletes from Wajir and the wider North Eastern region to benefit from improved infrastructure and break into national teams across disciplines such as football, rugby, volleyball and athletics.
Culture PS Umi Bashir described the decision to hold Madaraka Day in Wajir as a significant economic and cultural boost for the county.
She said local artists and performers from Wajir will take centre stage during the celebrations, with talent scouts expected to identify and support creatives from the region.
“This will put money in the pockets of our local artists and showcase what this region has to offer,” Bashir said.
She urged close coordination between the county government and national ministries to ensure the celebrations run smoothly.
Beyond the national holiday, the stadium project is being framed as a long-term investment in youth, sports and community development.
