Kajiado loses Madaraka fete to Narok over stadium delays

This year’s Madaraka Day celebrations have been moved to Narok County as officials cite delay of construction works at Kajiado County stadium.

The government had planned to host the event in Kajiado County in line with a policy of the Jubilee administration to break away from the past where all such national events were held in Nairobi.

“The committee expressed concerns that the Kajiado stadium construction works may not be completed within the remaining three months as earlier envisaged.

“Consequently, President Kenyatta directed that this year’s Madaraka Day Celebrations be held in Narok County,” said a statement from State House on Monday.

Since 2016, two out of Kenya’s three national days have been hosted on rotational basis by counties outside Nairobi.

Nairobi County, which has traditionally hosted the celebrations, has only been hosting one event per year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta made the announcement in December 2015 when he hosted governors at State House, Nairobi, for the fourth National and County Government Summit.

The President said then that Mombasa and Nakuru counties had been chosen to host the two national days besides the one that was hosted by the Nairobi County in 2016.

The Council of Governors welcomed the President’s decision to celebrate two national holidays each year in different counties outside the capital city. President Kenyatta said the decision is aimed at boosting national cohesion and integration.