The national government is fast-tracking construction of a 10,000-seater stadium in Wajir County, ahead of the 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations, which will be hosted at the facility.
The move follows a site visit by Principal Secretary for Defence, Patrick Mariru, who was accompanied by his counterparts, Elijah Mwangi (Sports) and Umi Bashir (Culture, Arts and Heritage), as part of inter-ministerial coordination to ensure the timely completion of the project.
Speaking during the visit, Mariru said the project was being implemented following direct instructions from the President, with the Ministries of Defence and Sports jointly overseeing its execution.
“The project was initiated following a request by the leadership of Wajir county to the President. We have clear instructions to work together and deliver this stadium by June,” the Defence PS said.
He assured residents that despite the site currently being undeveloped, the stadium would be completed on time, within the budgeted finances and to the required standards.
“By June, this place will have a fully completed 10,000-seater stadium, including a grass pitch,” he added.
Mariru further noted that the Kenya Defence Forces would supervise the construction works, while local communities would be engaged through labour mobilisation to ensure residents benefit directly from the project.
The Sports PS said the stadium was not being constructed solely for the Madaraka Day celebrations, but would also serve as a long-term investment in sports development in the region.
“This facility will help nurture talent in football, rugby, athletics, volleyball and other disciplines. Talent is everywhere, and we expect athletes from this region to rise to national and international levels,” Mwangi said.
He added that the Ministry of Sports would provide technical support through relevant federations to ensure the facility meets international standards.
“We shall support the Ministry of Defence to ensure the stadium meets FIFA, World Athletics and Rugby standards, and is capable of hosting international competitions,” he said.
The PS Culture described the decision to host Madaraka Day in Wajir as a major economic boost for the county and the wider northern Kenya region.
“Hosting Madaraka Day here demonstrates that national celebrations can be successfully held in any part of the country,” said Bashir.
She added that local artists would be prioritised during the celebrations, with the concerned State Department scouting and engaging performers from Wajir and neighbouring counties.
“This will give local artists an opportunity to showcase their talent and earn income during the celebrations,” she said.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said the county government was fully committed to working closely with the national government to ensure the successful hosting of Madaraka Day.
“We are preparing to host Madaraka Day on June 1 here in Wajir County. This includes the construction and readiness of the stadium and the overall preparation of the town,” Abdullahi said.
The governor assured the visiting teams of the county’s full cooperation to ensure the project is completed within the projected three to four months.
“Hosting a national holiday is a major responsibility, and we are committed to delivering this project seamlessly,” he said.
Once completed, the Wajir County Stadium is expected to serve as a key sports and events facility in northern Kenya, supporting youth talent development, community engagement and future national and international events.
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