Preparations in top gear for 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations

The government is racing against time to complete major infrastructural projects ahead of the 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations, scheduled for June 1 in Homa Bay County.

In an update on the progress of the preparations, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the Raila Odinga Stadium, the venue for this year’s event, is currently undergoing extensive upgrades.

The PS noted that the State Department for Sports is overseeing the construction of public terraces and the rehabilitation of the pavilion, which is over 70 percent complete.

“The construction of designated parking areas and the extension of perimeter walls are 60 percent and 80 percent complete respectively,” said Omollo.

In addition to works at the stadium, road upgrades are underway to improve accessibility.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is currently upgrading the 1.2 kilometre Homa Bay Pier-Stadium Road and the 2 kilometre access road to the County Government Headquarters in Arujo.

The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is grading the 11 kilometre Wahambla-Imbo Road and the 12 kilometre Ruga-Lala Road, while the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is repairing 10.8 kilometres of roads around the venue.

Meanwhile, the County Commissioner’s residence, which will host the official State Garden Party, is undergoing rehabilitation.

PS Omollo said more than 75 percent of the work on the main house, staff quarters, ablution blocks, gazebo, pavements, internal roads, and perimeter fencing has already been completed.

He added that the Kabunde Airstrip is also being refurbished by the Kenya Airports Authority with fencing repairs already complete.

The runway extension is 70 percent done, and the refurbishment of the passenger terminal building is ongoing alongside the construction of a new apron and taxiways.