PHOTOS: Wajir welcomes thousands for Madaraka Day celebrations in historic first

President William Ruto arrived in Wajir on Monday morning to lead thousands of Kenyans in celebrating the 63rd Madaraka Day.

The historic national event is being held at the newly completed 10,000-seater Wajir Stadium, marking the first time the celebrations are taking place in the country's North Eastern region since independence.

The event brought together residents, senior government officials, diplomats, and regional delegations.

Thousands of locals began streaming into the stadium as early as 3:00 AM, waving national flags under this year's theme, "Education, Skills and the Future."

To prepare for the celebrations, the national government undertook extensive infrastructure upgrades in Wajir Town over the past few months, including road rehabilitation, street lighting installations, water connectivity projects, and modernisations at Wajir International Airport.

President Ruto also spent Sunday commissioning local electricity and infrastructure projects.

During his national address, President Ruto emphasised that taking the national celebrations to the frontier region demonstrates that self-governance belongs equally to all citizens.

"For the first time in 63 years of self-rule, Madaraka Day 2026 is being hosted in Wajir, the heart of Northern Kenya," President Ruto said. "This is not a mere ceremonial gesture; it is a national declaration and a moment of affirmation that our freedom belongs equally to all Kenyans."

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi expressed deep emotions and gratitude to the national government for selecting the town to host the historic event. 

"As I was reading this speech, I was shaking, and as I sat back down, Senator Cheruiyot can attest that I was crying," Governor Abdullahi said.

"I express my gratitude to President Ruto for granting Wajir this special occasion to celebrate Madaraka Day 2026. We now see that we are no longer a remote county. We will always remember the President for giving Northern Kenya a sense of belonging."

Madaraka Day commemorates the day Kenya attained internal self-governance from British colonial rule on June 1, 1963, ahead of full independence in December of the same year.

Photos: Elvis Ogina, Standard