Education, skills and the future to headline 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir

The new Wajir Stadium under construction will host this year's Madara day celebrations on June 1, 2026. /RAYMOND OMOLLO/X

The theme for this year's Madaraka Day celebrations will be "Education, Skills and the Future", placing learning, innovation and skills development at the centre of Kenya's commemoration of the country's attainment of internal self-rule from Britain in 1963.

The 2026 national celebrations will be held in Wajir county at the newly constructed Wajir Stadium, marking a historic milestone as it will be the first time since independence that a national holiday celebration is hosted in Northern Kenya.

Since independence, Wajir has never had a stadium, relying instead on open, undeveloped grounds such as Wajir Baraza Park for community events and public gatherings.

Preparations for the June 1 event are in high gear, with major infrastructure upgrades transforming Wajir town ahead of the national festivities.

Roads have been upgraded and fitted with modern street lighting, while key transport infrastructure, including the airport, has undergone significant improvements to accommodate visitors expected from across the country.

The Ministry of Education has assumed a leading role in organising activities linked to the celebrations to ensure they align with the national theme.

On Sunday, Elyas Abdi chaired a meeting bringing together ministry field officers and officials from the Teachers Service Commission in Wajir to assess the county's readiness for the event.

According to the ministry, the four-day programme will feature discussions on education policy, innovation, leadership, skills development and community-based learning as the government advances its agenda of expanding access to transformative and inclusive education opportunities.

The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, including Fred Mwei, Nelson Sifuna, Koriyow Hussein Ali and Janet Langat.

As part of the preparations, the government has constructed the 10,000-seat Wajir Stadium and upgraded supporting infrastructure, including Wajir International Airport and surrounding road networks.

"Managed by the Ministry of Defence through the Kenya Defence Forces, the ultra-modern complex is on course for timely completion, allowing adequate time for national rehearsals," Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said on May 21.

The ultra-mordern stadium features a full-sized football pitch designed for artificial turf installation, a standard eight-lane running track, modern changing rooms, VIP lounges, spectator amenities and terrace seating.

Seat installation works are underway, alongside ample parking and a borehole that ensures a reliable water supply for overall operations.

Omollo said the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration will continue to safeguard the facility beyond the celebrations, reinforcing security and preserving it as a safe, vibrant public space for years to come.

Leaders from the region have welcomed the developments, saying the investments have elevated Wajir's profile and strengthened its position as an emerging hub for commerce, transport, investment and national events.

"It is a proud and emotional moment for our people, a historic validation that the region once considered distant and forgotten is today firmly at the centre of Kenya’s development and national conversation. Indeed, Wajir today stands like a beautifully adorned bride, gracefully and confidently preparing for her grand celebration on the 1st of June," said Eldas MP Adan Keynan.

He added that the benefits of the ongoing development projects extend beyond Wajir town and have reached all six constituencies in the county, improving connectivity and opening up new economic opportunities.

"This is therefore to invite the people of Kenya and particularly the great people of Wajir county to come out in large numbers on June 1st to celebrate this defining chapter in our history. Let us fill the stadium with joy, unity and gratitude. Let us warmly welcome the nation to Wajir and proudly showcase the greatness of our hospitality, resilience and patriotism," he said.

President William Ruto is expected to preside over the national celebrations.