Homa Bay Shines as Kenya Celebrates 62nd Madaraka Day

The lakeside town of Homa Bay erupted into a vibrant spectacle of color, culture, and national pride as it hosted Kenya’s 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at the newly refurbished Raila Odinga Stadium. Marking the first time the county has hosted this historic event, the celebrations, themed  around harnessing Kenya’s Blue Economy for sustainable growth, underscored Homa Bay’s strategic role in the nation’s aquatic and maritime ambitions.

By sunrise, thousands of Kenyans had filled the 20,000-seater stadium, waving national flags and chanting patriotic slogans under a scorching sun. The festive atmosphere was electric, with local Luo traditional dancers captivating the crowd with hypnotic Orutu and Nyatiti beats, complemented by the soulful rhythms of Benga music.

The event took a lively turn when President William Ruto, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto, made a grand entrance at 10am, greeted by a roaring crowd and the Kenya Defence Forces band playing the national anthem. Joined by Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, the chief guest, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President Ruto inspected a crisp guard of honour led by Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri.

A highlight of the day was an unexpected display of camaraderie as President Ruto, Raila Odinga, and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki broke into spontaneous dance moves to a patriotic tune, “Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu; Kenya nchi yangu, hakika naipenda.” The Slovenian President joined in, adding an international flair to the joyous moment that drew cheers from the crowd.

In a symbolic nod to the Blue Economy theme, President Ruto and Raila Odinga participated in a fish-frying demonstration at the newly inaugurated Homa Bay Modern Fish Market, joined by Governor Gladys Wanga and Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho. The event highlighted the region’s fishing industry, with the market set to serve 400 traders and boost local commerce.

President Ruto also commissioned several development projects, including the Homa Bay Pier, the expanded Kabunde Airstrip, and the new Homa Bay County Government headquarters, signaling a transformative infrastructure boom for the region. Governor Wanga hailed the event as a “devolution blessing,” noting that hosting Madaraka Day has spurred economic growth, with local businesses like hotels and food kiosks thriving from the influx of visitors.

“This is a historic moment for Homa Bay and a testament to the power of devolution,” Wanga said. “The infrastructure upgrades and economic surge will leave a lasting legacy for our people.”

Raila Odinga echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the significance of hosting the event in Nyanza, a region long regarded as an opposition stronghold. “This is a great day for Homa Bay County, but more importantly, it shows that devolution works when empowered,” he said.

The celebrations also featured a three-day Blue Economy conference, which began on May 29 with Deputy President Kindiki opening the “Our Water, Our Wealth” forum. The conference, headlined by Raila Odinga on its second day, focused on sustainable growth in Kenya’s aquatic sectors, with local fisherfolk calling for increased investment in modern boat-making and marine technology.

Security was tight, with the National Police Service and Kenya Defence Forces strategically stationed across the stadium, ensuring a safe and orderly event. Parallel celebrations took place nationwide, with Baringo County hosting its event at Barwessa Primary School.

As the day concluded with cultural showcases and speeches, Homa Bay set a new benchmark for national celebrations, blending heritage, unity, and a forward-looking vision for Kenya’s Blue Economy. The lakeside county, now firmly in the national spotlight, has proven itself a vibrant hub of progress and pride.