Live Blog: Madaraka Day Celebrations

June 1, 2026 - Mentions how the former Northern Frontier was classified as undeserving, that has made the area face what it has suffered. The President mentions how he is changing that with constant development a step at a time. The President apologizes for all the problems and the suffering the area has undergone, saying it was never supposed to be this way.

10:09 am: "Self rule is not who has power but building a country worthy of the sacrifices made" : President Ruto

10:07 am: The President takes the stage greeting the people. He affirms that this is the first time such an event is held in the region and how the event means that Madaraka belongs equally to every Kenyan.

10:04 am: The deputy mentions the developments under way the roads in development and the power stations in development to ensure the area grows. The deputy President mentions the national infrastructure fund and how the fund will be used to build and develop the area.

10:01 am : The Deputy President thanks the President for the big step in inclusivity by including the Northern Frontier in national celebrations and the progress he has ensured by making the development projects be felt in the region and in the whole country.

9:58 am The Governor mentioned the late Raila Odinga and Ahmed khalif for this political journey and asks the President to honor the late Ahmed Khalif by naming the Wajir Stadium after him. Elders of Wajir liken the President to their king and offer him 100 camels to be brought to a palce of his choice and wishes the whoke of the country a Happy Madaraka Day 2026.

9:55am : Thanks the President for the infrastructure development in the region like the affordable housing program and the proposed State lodge in the region.

9:52 am : The Governor further mentioned the challenges, the exclusions that have been faced by the region . The Governor mentions the Presidents approval to hold the celebrations in Wajir as an honor. He mentioned the gains the region has had including the level 5 hospital hospital the President will commission later on in the day.

9:49 am: Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, thanking the President for giving Wajir this honor. Saying the day marks a great day for Wajir showing its integrated with the whole nation. He further says the people will remember this day by doing what was deemed impossible.

9:31 am: Traditional dances to entertain the crowd