Interior PS Raymond Omollo flanked by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Sports CS Salim Mvurya in Homa Bay on May 15, 2025./FAITH MATETE
Homa Bay county is ready to host this year's Madaraka day celebrations, Interior PS Raymond Omollo has said
The event, which will be centred around the theme “Blue Economy for Sustainable Development,” is set to run as a three-day national forum, culminating in the official celebration on June 1st.
Speaking during a tour of key facilities on Thursday morning, Dr. Omollo, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far.
He commended the teams from various government agencies and the Homabay County Government for their tireless work in getting the county ready to host the country.
“First, allow me to appreciate the technical teams who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point from the various national agencies to the County Government of Homabay. This has been a coordinated and dedicated effort for the good of our country,” the PS said.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo during a tour of key facilities on May 15, 2025/FAITH MATETE
A three-day conference and exhibition will be held leading up to Madaraka Day, bringing together policymakers, experts, and local communities.
Deputy President Kithure Kitindiki is expected to officially open the forum on the first day. On the second day, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will headline key discussions, and on the final day, President William Ruto will close the conference.
PS Omollo emphasized that the event will be heavily focused on the blue economy, which is critical for local communities around the Lake Basin region.
He noted that throughout the three days, there will be a lot of participation from the Beach Management Units (BMUs), local entrepreneurs, government and non-governmental organizations, and the business community.
The main venue, Raila Odinga Stadium, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent weeks.
Originally developed by the county government of Homabay, the stadium has now been upgraded into a 12,000-seater facility, with the Ministry of Sports overseeing the final stages of its completion.
“If you were here a month ago, you'd be amazed at the changes. This stadium has been completely transformed. We are now fully ready to host Madaraka Day,” PS Omollo stated.
Beyond the stadium, several ancillary infrastructure projects are ongoing to support the national event.
Roads under the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) are set to be completed early next week.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is also working on key routes, with the most strategic sections expected to be ready before June 1st.
Meanwhile, Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is set to begin construction on two major access roads into Homabay, with contracts expected to be signed before the end of the week. Contractors have already begun mobilizing on the ground.
Additionally, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is carrying out upgrades at Kabunde Airstrip to ensure it is fully operational for increased air traffic during the celebrations.
Other works include street lighting by Kenya Power (KPLC) and improvements in water supply infrastructure being implemented to support both residents and visiting guests.
The PS was accompanied by several top government officials, including Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga, CS for Sports Salim Mvurya PS for Sports Elijah Mwangi, PS for Culture Ummi Bashir, PS for Blue Economy Madam Betsy Njagi, Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, and Regional Commissioner Madam Flora Mwaora.
Together, they inspected the ongoing works and assessed Homabay’s state of readiness.
PS Omollo urged residents of Homabay and Kenyans from across the country to take part in the historic event.
“We invite and encourage everyone from Homabay and beyond to join us for these national celebrations. We are grateful to the people of Homabay for the support and cooperation they’ve shown throughout this massive infrastructure rollout. Together, we are ready to welcome the country to Homabay.”
