By Mumo Judah, June 1, 2026
President William Ruto delivered a landmark Madaraka Day address at Wajir Stadium during the 63rd national celebrations, marking the first time the event has been hosted in Kenya’s North Eastern region since independence. The ceremony, themed Agriculture and Food Security, was used to reinforce his administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and announce a range of development commitments targeting regional inclusion, infrastructure expansion, housing, agriculture, and international trade.
The President emphasized the importance of rethinking the place of Northern Kenya in national development, stating that “what was once called remote will become strategic, and what was once neglected will become indispensable to our food security,” while further underscoring national unity by adding that “Wajir is not the edge of Kenya. Wajir is Kenya.”
On agriculture and food security, Ruto outlined progress on an irrigation programme involving the construction of 100 large dams and 1,000 small water pans, intended to expand irrigated land by approximately 500,000 acres. He also highlighted efforts to strengthen livestock health systems through increased vaccine production at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute to protect pastoral livelihoods.
He further announced financial support measures for farmers and herders, including a Sh1 billion allocation to the Agricultural Finance Corporation and an additional Sh15 billion credit facility in partnership with Afreximbank to expand access to affordable credit for small-scale producers.
On housing, the President highlighted the government’s Affordable Housing Programme as part of efforts to improve living standards and stimulate employment, noting its expansion into counties outside major urban centres, including Northern Kenya, as part of inclusive national development.
On infrastructure development in Wajir, he defended ongoing projects tied to the national celebrations, including the 10,000-seater stadium. He also pointed to accelerated upgrades at Wajir Airport, including runway and terminal improvements, alongside expanded urban roads and street lighting systems aimed at supporting extended economic activity.
In international trade, he reported progress in implementing the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, granting duty-free and quota-free access for Kenyan exports. He also noted the renewal framework of the African Growth and Opportunity Act following diplomatic engagements with the United States, aimed at safeguarding jobs in the textile and apparel sector.
The address was presented as a broader policy statement linking regional inclusion with national economic transformation, positioning Northern Kenya as a key pillar in agriculture, infrastructure development, housing, and trade expansion.
