Wajir: The national government is fast-tracking the construction of a 10,000-seater stadium in Wajir County, in preparation for the 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations, which are set to be hosted at the facility.
According to Kenya News Agency, the decision to expedite the project follows a site visit by Principal Secretary for Defence, Dr. Patrick Mariru. He was accompanied by his counterparts, Elijah Mwangi (Sports) and Umi Bashir (Culture, Arts and Heritage), as part of an inter-ministerial effort to ensure the timely completion of the project. Dr. Mariru highlighted that the project was initiated under direct instructions from the President, with the Ministries of Defence and Sports jointly overseeing the execution.
Dr. Mariru emphasized that the project began following a request by Wajir County leadership to the President, with a clear directive to deliver the stadium by June. He assured residents that despite the current undeveloped state of the site, the stadium would be completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards, including a grass pitch.
The construction works will be supervised by the Kenya Defence Forces, with local communities engaged through labor mobilization to ensure residents benefit directly from the project. Sports PS Elijah Mwangi stated that the stadium is a long-term investment aimed at sports development in the region, not solely for the Madaraka Day celebrations. The facility is expected to nurture local talent in various sports disciplines, with technical support from relevant federations to ensure it meets international standards.
PS Culture Umi Bashir described the decision to host Madaraka Day in Wajir as a significant economic boost for the county and the broader northern Kenya region. She emphasized that local artists will be prioritized during the celebrations, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talent and earn income.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi expressed the county government’s full commitment to collaborating with the national government to ensure the successful hosting of Madaraka Day. He assured the visiting teams of the county’s cooperation to complete the project within the projected timeframe of three to four months.
Upon completion, the Wajir County Stadium is expected to become a key facility for sports and events in northern Kenya, supporting youth talent development, community engagement, and future national and international events.
