Jamhuri Day in the counties: A mix of politics, promises and threats

The 2025 Jamhuri Day celebrations in counties offered a chance to local leaders to articulate pertinent issues, even as some governors snubbed events in their devolved units.

From Garissa County where President William Ruto’s speech was so late that attendants had to break for Friday prayers to Siaya where the county commissioner complained that Governor James Orengo rarely attends such events, it was a mix of politics, promises, and even threats about attendance.

In Kirinyaga County, Governor Anne Waiguru unveiled an ambitious push to elevate the county into one of Kenya’s premier tourism powerhouses, declaring the area a rising magnet for adventure, culture and conferencing.

She announced the proposed Kirinyaga County Local Tourism Bill, 2025, that will establish a legal framework to promote local tourism.

Also Read: Live blog: President Ruto leads Jamhuri Day celebration at Nyayo Stadium

Ms Waiguru said the bill will commercialise cultural heritage, strengthen sports tourism, regulate tourism enterprises and attract private investors to the county.

She urged the county assembly to prioritise its passage, saying the legislation would usher in a new era where Kirinyaga takes full charge of its tourism story.

“From the rapidly growing adventure hub along the Sagana River, renowned for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, zip-lining and archery, to the magnificent waterfalls of Kamweti, Gatitika, Rwamuthambi, Karumandi and Njine Kabia, Kirinyaga is steadily drawing thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike,” she said.

In Laikipia, Governor Joshua Irungu said the county has initiated plans to promote agro, sports and cultural tourism as a diversification from wildlife tourism.

“Moving forward, our focus will not be only on wildlife and leisure tourism but also cultural tourism. We have set aside a budget this financial year to rehabilitate various community eco-tourism lodges and resource centres to promote local craftsmanship, culture and entrepreneurship among women and young people,” said Mr Irungu.

In Tharaka-Nithi, Governor Muthomi appealed to the national government to enter into partnerships with counties that border national parks in a deal akin to that with Kajiado and Narok counties in the case of Amboseli and Maasai Mara parks in a bid to financially benefit the communities in the counties.

Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties host the expansive Meru National Park, which is marketed as the complete wilderness.

Governor Njuki noted the importance of the counties also reaping big from the tourists visiting their regions, while enumerating the many sites in the county that have become key sources of income for the country, and not benefiting the local communities that work on maintaining the parks.

In Meru, Governor Isaac Mutuma said his administration is in talks with the national government to effect revenue sharing from Meru National Park.

In Garissa County, celebrations were interrupted midway for almost two hours after it emerged that President William Ruto’s official speech was yet to be delivered.

Immediately it became clear that the area County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo was yet to get a copy of the 21-page speech, Governor Nathif Jama asked the audience to leave for Friday prayers and return to listen to the speech.

“We are taking a break. Go to the mosque and return to hear the President’s speech. President Ruto will understand our situation,” Governor Jama announced.

However, most of the locals who gathered at Yathrib Primary School grounds did not return after prayers.

In Turkana, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai and County Commissioner Julius Kavita led residents in celebrating Jamhuri Day at Lokiriama town near the border of Kenya and Uganda as part of efforts to strengthen peaceful coexistence among pastoral communities.

Governor Lomorukai said that his administration will continue to promote sustainable peace along the borders with Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan to ensure free movement of border communities and spur cross border trade in the once-volatile Ateker region.

Mr Kavita, on his part, said the government will create permanent structures for dialogue and conflict resolution by ensuring that commitments made in moments of goodwill are sustained.

In Trans Nzoia, County Commissioner Gideo Oyagi warned residents against falling prey to conmen collecting money while promising to allocate them land at the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC).

He put on notice groups claiming ownership of ADC land and cautioned the public against transacting with them.

“The government has not axed any land from ADC for distribution and groups fighting to illegally acquire land from the corporation are wasting time,” Mr Oyagi warned, asking residents to collaborate with security agencies to tame crime.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, on his part, accused some leaders of scheming to frustrate his leadership and misleading residents ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In Kisumu, County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo led the public to mark the day in an event that was skipped by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Deputy, Dr Mathew Owili.

It was Mr Peter Abiero, the Kisumu Central sub-county administrator, who read Governor Nyong’o’s speech where he outlined some of his administration’s achievements.

In Siaya, County Commissioner Jara Komora pleaded with Governor James Orengo to attend public holiday celebrations as a way of showing patriotism. Since he took over power as the county boss, he said, Mr Orengo hasn’t attended any celebrations. Instead, he has been sending the County Secretary Joseph Ogutu to represent him.

At the event, Mr Orengo’s speech was read by the county governance director, Mr George Okello.

“I would love to see the governor attend the national holiday celebrations. He promised me that he would be attending. I feel lonely every time I preside over the celebrations alone. He is like our father in this county and I would feel good to sit side-by-side with him as we celebrate the national holidays,” said Komora.

During the Mashujaa Day Celebrations in October, Mr Komora had read the riot act on all the civil servants and the heads of department who had formed the habit of boycotting national holiday celebrations. On Friday, he said, the attendance was significantly higher.

“Today, I have confirmed that the attendance is 82 percent. I will establish the reason behind the others not attending,” said Mr Komora.

In Homa Bay, the celebrations were held at Homa Bay High school where Governor Gladys Wanga and his Deputy Oyugi Magwanga were missing.

County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi expressed concern about the emergence of machete-wielding gangs, warning that security agencies will deal with whoever disrupts peace in the region.

He also told political leaders to stop using youths to protect them.

In Kakamega, Governor Fernandes Barasa and his deputy Ayub Savula were present during the celebrations where the gold mining debacle and broad-based politics dominated speeches.

Governor Barasa urged political leaders to refrain from politicising gold mining activities in Ikolomani, noting that the project is poised to deliver substantial economic benefits to the region and that all affected landowners will receive full compensation.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that residents whose land falls within the mining zone are adequately and lawfully compensated.

Mr Savula backed the governor’s position, stressing that the gold deposits present a unique opportunity to unlock significant wealth and spur economic growth in Kakamega County.

In Kisii, Governor Simba Arati and newly posted County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga led thousands of residents in marking the day at Mobamba High School in Nyaribari Masaba constituency.

Governor Arati used the opportunity to highlight what his administration has achieved in the three years it has been in office. He also explained why he led a delegation from his community to visit President William Ruto at State House.

“Let me ask you, my people: do you want me to rebuke the President? Is that what you want? If I do, will that give our people development? I will not. I will continue supporting the Head of State and I am fully in the broad-based government,” Mr Arati added.

In Baringo, County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa said more than 561 illegal guns have been recovered in the ongoing gun mop-up in the region.

He commended the locals in the insecurity-prone areas for complying and surrendering the guns, indicating that normalcy has returned in the affected villages due to efforts by the State to restore calm.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi also commended the State for putting up mechanisms to tame the perennial insecurity in the region that had led to loss of lives, livelihoods and displacement of people from their homes over the years.

“We are now happy that there is relative calm in Baringo now. Locals will celebrate Christmas without fear of attacks by armed criminals,” said Governor Cheboi.

In Kajiado, Governor Joseph ole Lenku and County Commissioner Michael Yator attended the event at KCB Grounds, though there was low attendance by members of the public.

Governor Lenku asked political leaders to embrace national cohesion and slow down on political sideshows that are likely to affect the unity of the county ahead of the 2027 polls.

Mr Yator assured Kajiado residents of beefed up security during and after Christmas festivities especially in the satellite towns including Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Kiserian and Kajiado.

“Our multi-agency security team will be coming to our towns and urban areas to ensure protection of people and properties. Let criminals know we are on high alert,” he said.

Reporting by George Munene, David Muchui, Mwangi Ndirangu, Manase Otsialo, Sammy Lutta, Evans Jaola, Rushdie Oudia, Kassim Adinasi, George Odiwuor, Wycliffe Nyaberi, Florah Koech and Stanley Ngotho