Mudavadi: Kidundu Stadium to Host Madaraka Day as Decades-Long Dream Nears Reality

Kenya, 31 January 2026 - A decades-old dream in Vihiga County is finally sprinting toward the finish line.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced that the long-awaited Kidundu Stadium will host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, marking a historic turning point for the region and cementing Vihiga’s place on Kenya’s national events map.

Speaking during a press conference in Mbale after a decisive meeting with landowners around the proposed Kidundu Stadium site, Mudavadi revealed that a major breakthrough had been achieved.

More than 20 acres of land have now been voluntarily relinquished by owners, clearing the way for construction to begin in February.

“This will stop being a dream and become a reality,” Mudavadi declared.

“President William Ruto made it clear that during his term, Kidundu Stadium must be delivered. Today, that promise is taking shape.”

From Dream to Bulldozers

For years, the idea of a modern stadium at Kidundu had lingered as an unfulfilled aspiration, championed by leaders and residents—many of whom did not live to see this moment. Mudavadi paid tribute to those pioneers, noting that while they may be gone, their hopes are now bearing fruit.

Construction of the 10,000-seater stadium will be undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under direct instructions from President Ruto, with completion expected within four months. Once complete, the facility will be ready to host the high-profile Labour Madaraka Day celebrations later this year.

Landowners Assured, Honoured

Mudavadi emphasised that the government is committed to following due process in compensating all affected households.

“The intention of the government is to ensure every landowner is left in a comfortable place after relinquishing their God- and parent-given land,” he said.

A Game-Changer for Vihiga

Once completed, Kidundu Stadium is expected to transform Vihiga’s sporting and economic landscape, offering local youth a platform to nurture talent while instilling pride across the county.

Mudavadi noted that the stadium is part of a broader development push under the Kenya Kwanza administration, which includes the Mudasa Affordable Housing Project, hostels, the Kenya School of Government, modern markets—including a major one in Mbale town—and several kilometres of new roads.

Leaders Applaud Breakthrough

Chairman of the Kidundu landowners, Mr Duncan Kagesa, welcomed the development, saying long-standing issues had finally been resolved.

“Mudavadi has settled our matters. In the next one month, construction will start. We welcome it,” he said, adding that the agreement was reached on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo hailed the milestone as proof that sustained engagement pays off.

“The efforts of President Ruto and Mudavadi have borne fruit. We are ready to welcome the contractors as early as next week,” he said.

Vihiga MP Ernest Ogesi described the landowners’ decision as a profound sacrifice, while Women Representative Beatrice Adagala framed the project as part of Kenya’s broader march toward first-world status.

“Kidundu Stadium is now real. This is part of our journey towards becoming a developed nation,” she said.

With bulldozers set to roll in February and national celebrations on the horizon, Kidundu Stadium is no longer just a promise—it is fast becoming Vihiga County’s proud new landmark.

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