Thousands flood Raila Odinga Stadium after hours-long wait to join Madaraka Day celebrations

People gather outside an already full Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on June 1, 2025. They were later allowed in to witness the Madaraka Day celebrations. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Lucy Mumbi
Sunday, June 1, 2025

Crowds that had initially been kept outside to allow scheduled activities to proceed were allowed into the stadium, which had been filled to capacity on Saturday night.

Thousands of Kenyans who had waited outside the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County for several hours on Sunday were eventually allowed in to witness the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations.

Crowds that had initially been kept outside to allow scheduled activities to proceed were allowed into the stadium, which had been filled to capacity on Saturday night.

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Security officials struggled to maintain control and eventually opened the gates to allow the overflow of enthusiastic citizens to join the national celebration.

Despite the chaos, the stadium and its surroundings quickly transformed into a sea of celebration as Kenyans gathered in large numbers to commemorate the country’s attainment of internal self-rule from British colonial rule on June 1, 1963.

Guests were welcomed with colourful military parades, traditional dances, and a vibrant showcase of Kenyan culture.

The celebrations took a lively turn as President William Ruto and the chief guest, Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, joined in a dance moment during the ceremony, showing off their moves to the delight of the crowd.

Laughter, cheers and song filled the air as the two heads of state swayed to the rhythms.

Songs and dances

School children also took centre stage, entertaining attendees with songs and dances that celebrated Kenya’s rich heritage and national identity. Their performances drew loud applause, adding a youthful, energetic tone to the occasion.

Other leaders attending the event, themed “Harnessing Kenya’s Blue Economy for National Prosperity”, include former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, alongside Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament, governors and members of the diplomatic corps.

Ahead of the celebrations, the government had embarked on a flurry of development activity in the region.

President Ruto, who arrived in Nyanza earlier in the week, launched several infrastructure projects intended to promote regional equality and economic empowerment.

These included the tarmacking of the 40-kilometre Marindi-Oria Bridge Road, the commissioning of 901 affordable housing units in Kisumu under the LAPFUND Makasembo initiative, and the Lake Victoria Point project in Kirembe.

The head of state officiated the groundbreaking for the Gor Mahia Ring Road in Magina and announced the revitalisation of the long-neglected Homa Bay pier, key interventions aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade in the lake region.