By Brian Said Iha
Wajir, Kenya, June 1, 2026
Thousands of Kenyans streamed into the newly constructed 10,000-seater Wajir Stadium from the early hours of Monday morning as the country marked the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations in a historic first for the North Eastern region.
By 6:00 a.m., long queues had already formed outside the stadium as wananchi from Wajir and neighboring counties arrived to secure seats for the national event, which is being hosted in the region for the first time since independence.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement, patriotism and cultural pride as crowds dressed in national colors filled the venue ahead of the official celebrations. Traditional performances, music and entertainment added to the festive mood as attendees eagerly awaited the arrival of national leaders and dignitaries.
The event marks a significant milestone for Wajir County and the wider North Eastern region, reflecting ongoing efforts by the government to rotate national celebrations across different parts of the country and promote inclusivity in national development.
Security personnel were deployed in and around the stadium to manage the large crowds and ensure smooth proceedings throughout the day. Authorities reported orderly movement of people into the venue as preparations for the celebrations reached their final stages.
The newly built stadium, with a seating capacity of 10,000, stands as one of the key infrastructure projects completed ahead of the national event. Residents have welcomed the facility, describing it as a transformative investment that is expected to boost sports development and economic activity in the region.
Madaraka Day is commemorated annually on June 1 to mark the day Kenya attained internal self-rule from British colonial administration in 1963, paving the way for full independence later that year.
This year’s celebrations carry added significance as they bring the national spotlight to North Eastern Kenya, a region that has historically received fewer opportunities to host major state functions.
As the celebrations got underway, the packed stadium offered a vivid display of national unity, with Kenyans from diverse backgrounds gathering to commemorate one of the country’s most important national holidays and celebrate the progress made since the attainment of self-governance 63 years ago
