KANDUYI, Bungoma- At the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma county, thousands of Kenyans flocked to celebrate the country’s 61st Madaraka Day.
Bungoma residents lined up to enter the 10-seater stadium when the gates opened as early as 4am.
Long queues were witnessed at the stadium’s main gates as people passed through security checks for screening.
President William Ruto, who presided over the event, was received by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
However, even as the county prepared to host a national celebration of this magnitude for the first time, it was evident that the planning for the big day had changed entirely Bungoma county.
Locals marvelled at the advantages of hosting such a national event.
For example, the enhanced road system and street lights installed along the main roads and Bungoma town are noticeable from the Musikoma area along the Mumias-Bungoma road.
The extent of the road networks includes building sidewalks across the town, drainage projects, and modernizing urban roadways to bitumen standards.
Furthermore, billboards featuring President Ruto, area governor Ken Lusaka, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula adorned the roadways of Western Kenya town.
Every year, on June 1, Madaraka Day is a national holiday in Kenya. It commemorates the day in 1963 when Kenya attained internal self-rule after being a British colony since 1920.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of military personnel and the National Youth Service (NYS), the stadium was finished ahead of this year’s festivities.
In a battle against time, the team upgraded the roads that led to the venue and built a perimeter wall around the multi-million sports facility.
For the first time, Bungoma, situated along the Eldoret-Malaba Road, will feature three roundabouts with water foundations at various locations.
On Thursday, May 30, the head of state touched down in Bungoma county for a three-day development visit.
His military chopper landed at the recently built Matulo Airstrip with a bag full of goodies for an area that strongly backed his presidential bid in the 2022 elections.
Ruto commissioned the Bungoma Immigration Office, which he said would also serve Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, and Trans-Nzoia counties.
“We are devolving immigration services like passport and work permit issuance to ensure that Kenyans do not incur unnecessary costs to acquire essential documents,” said the head of state.
President Ruto also commissioned the Kapkara Earth Dam in Sirisia.
According to President Ruto, the dam holds the immense potential to transform the lives of the people of Bungoma.
“It presents to the county reliable water supply and reduces over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture that has limited our food production,” he added.
He also officially opened the Webuye West Technical and Vocational College, Machakha.
“The deliberate investment in vocational education is aimed at developing properly equipped institutions that offer market-ready knowledge, skills and competencies to drive our country’s transformation,” said the president.
The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Kipchumba Murkomen, observed that Bungoma is a pivotal trading town connecting Kenya with markets in East Africa and beyond.
“In full alignment with the government’s commitment, as a Ministry, we shall enhance the road, rail, and aviation infrastructure within the county and the surrounding region,” he said.
Murkomen spoke when, along with other leaders, he joined President Ruto for a development tour of Bungoma county ahead of the celebrations, during which he launched roads and committed to expanding Matulo Airstrip into a full-fledged airport.
“Plans to expand the airstrip to 1.4 km from the current 1.2km and construct service infrastructure are underway. Further plans to transform the Webuye-based airstrip into an airport by acquiring more land is a priority as directed by the president,” said Murkomen.
The CS reiterated that upgrading to bitumen standards and performance-based performance of the Mayanja-Bisunu-Sirisia Road, Nalondo-Mukhweya-Mesese Road, and Mukhweya Road will greatly benefit the region’s socioeconomic well-being.
The road project, implemented by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), aims to open up these areas by linking them to major roads, promoting trade, and facilitating the transport of farm produce to markets, thereby improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Governor Lusaka lauded the national government, observing that upgrading all the major roads in Bungoma town and its environs will promote a 24-hour economy.
“Our airstrip at Matulo on the outskirts of Webuye town can now safely land a 35-seater plane, but it is our wish and focus that in the near future, it is upgraded to an international airport, our Masinde Muliro stadium is in the process of being completed to perfection with a sitting capacity of 20,000 people, with all the roads around it well paved and, we now have an official State Lodge. Tunasema Asante Sana,” said Lusaka.
John Wafula, the Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Bungoma chapter, who was present at the event, told Y News that the Madraka Dy national celebrations were felt throughout the region.
“There is no denying that neighbouring counties such as Kakamega and Trans Nzoia are experiencing a sense of being a part of the Bungoma celebration,” Wafula stated.
He urged guests of the historic celebration to experience the various native dishes and the hospitality of the greater Western Kenya region.
