The Ministry of Interior and National Coordination has confirmed that this year's national celebrations for Madaraka Day will be held in Bungoma County.
In a statement dated Monday, February 5, the Ministry announced that the June 1 public holiday will be marked at the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma County.
During the celebration, the Kenya Kwanza government will push for the need to enhance food security in the country.
"This year's Madaraka Day celebration will take place at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma County, focusing on the theme 'Promoting Agriculture and Food Security," the Ministry stated.
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The announcement followed a high-level meeting that was chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo. During the meeting, the PS was informed of the need to upgrade the stadium to meet the standards of hosting a national event. PS Omollo okayed plans to kickstart the repairs ahead of Madaraka Day.
Madaraka Day, celebrated annually on June 1st in Kenya, commemorates the nation's attainment of internal self-rule from British colonial rule in 1963.
Last year, the Madaraka Celebrations were held in Embu County and presided over by President William Ruto.
The national celebrations were devolved in 2016 by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In the arrangement, counties host two of the three annual national holidays on a rotational basis while Nairobi retains one, Independence Day on December 12, otherwise known as Jamhuri Day.
Previously, Nairobi hosted all national holiday celebrations.
“The decision to share the celebrations of our nationhood among the counties is part of the Jubilee administration’s desire to include every Kenyan, in word and in deed,” Uhuru said then.
