Nairobi Regional Commissioner William Kang’ethe Thuku confirmed preparations for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, set to take place at the newly renovated Uhuru Gardens Memorial Park. The event, themed 'pamoja tusonge mbele,' marks the first nationwide observance since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The celebrations will commemorate Kenya’s 59th anniversary of self-rule, achieved on June 1, 1963, and the upcoming third general election since the 2010 Constitution’s enactment. Thuku emphasized that the park’s 30,000-capacity venue will host President Uhuru Kenyatta and dignitaries, urging attendees to maintain pandemic safety protocols.
Infrastructure developments include 539.26km of roads upgraded under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority at Ksh.144.625 billion and 1,182km of urban roads funded by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority. Additional projects focus on informal settlement improvements, including water access and street lighting.
Thuku highlighted efforts to address land tenure issues, noting 17,000 lease agreements and 11,600 title deeds issued in Embakasi Ranching Company. Over 32 health facilities have been renovated, and 155 boreholes installed in informal settlements, benefiting 2.3 million residents.
The government also announced initiatives to combat crime and extremism through multi-agency collaboration. Madaraka Day, marking Kenya’s 1963 independence, remains a key national observance despite ongoing public health concerns.
