Homa Bay County will host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has said.
Initially, the lakeside county was supposed to be used for the Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20, 2025, and had up to eight months from the beginning of the year to prepare for the same.
President William Ruto announced this when he visited the county in February last year during the second county international investment conference.
Governor Gladys Wanga had asked him to consider the county as the place for hosting a national event.
However, this has since changed after the Thursday announcement.
The initial plan was for Kitui County to host the 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations. It will now host Mashujaa Day later in October.
"This celebration (Madaraka) will be in Homa Bay County. After his we be moving to Kitui County (for Mashujaa Day) as part of making sure that every part of this country fees appreciated," Dr Omollo said.
Officials organising national celebrations now have only three months to prepare the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay Town for the national event.
Dr Omollo said the theme of this year’s Madaraka Day is about maritime and blue economy and Homa Bay will be the best-suited place for the event.
The government is also undertaking key development projects within the county that support the blue economy including rehabilitation of piers in Homa Bay Town, Kendu Bay, Mbita and Sena in Mfangano Island.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the proposed venue Dr Omollo appealed to residents of Homa Bay, especially the business community, to take advantage of the day to do booming business.
“It is a tradition in President William Ruto’s government to host national celebrations in different counties. This is meant to make all Kenyans feel included in national agendas,” he said.
President Ruto, who will officiate the ceremony, is set to be in Homa Bay on multiple days ahead of and after the celebrations.
It includes ongoing road projects in the county, Homa Bay Town fish market and pier, affordable housing project, the new lecture halls at Tom Mboya University, Kabunde Airstrip among others.
Dr Omollo who had earlier inspected Kabunde Airsrip said the Head of State may spend his nights in the lake side County during the visits.
“I appeal to different government agencies responsible for the projects to ensure they are expedited. The government will improve water supply and street lighting in Homa Bay,” the PS said.
Governor Wanga who hosted the interior PS said she is honoured that her county will host the national celebrations.
“I must express gratitude to President William Ruto for choosing Homa Bay as the venue for this year’s Madaraka Day. We welcome all Kenyans to visit Homa Bay,” he said.
Ms Wanga, said that the celebration will boost the economy of Homa Bay since it will come with the fulfilment of different government projects.
“Marine transport is soon being restored in Lake Victoria. This will be a game change for our county and the entire lake region,” Governor Wanga said.
He urged the technical team assigned to organise the celebrations to ensure they deliver within the specified timelines.
Currently, the stadium has a pavilion where at least 5,000 people can sit.
In the expansion program, terraces will be set up to expand the sitting capacity.
