Why Uhuru devolved national day fetes

Embu County hosts this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations tomorrow as President William Ruto continues his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta’s policy to rotate national holidays.

Facilities in the county have received a facelift ahead of tomorrow’s celebrations, with the Embu Stadium upgraded to accommodate more than 8,000 people.

Last Friday, the President opened the Madaraka Day SMEs, Cooperatives, Trade and Revenue Expo at Embu University Grounds, a precursor to the commemorations.

The decision to devolve celebrations of national holidays started in 2016.

In the arrangement, counties host two of the three annual national holidays on rotational basis while Nairobi retains one, independence day on December 12, otherwise known as Jamhuri Day.

The other national holidays are Madaraka Day, celebrated on June 1 to mark internal self rule and  Mashujaa Day (October 20), which honours freedom fighters.

Previously, Nairobi hosted all national holiday celebrations.

Uhuru explained that the decision to take the events to counties aimed at boosting national cohesion and integration.

The first Madaraka Day fete outside Nairobi was held in Nakuru. “The decision to share the celebrations of our nationhood among the counties is part of the Jubilee administration’s desire to include every Kenyan, in word and in deed,” he said.

In 2017, the 54th Madaraka celebrations were held in Nyeri while the 55th  took place in Kinoru Stadium, Meru in 2018.

Speaking on June 1, 2019 during the 56th celebrations were held in Narok Stadium, Uhuru said: “My administration made the solemn decision to rotate the hosting of national celebrations in order to strengthen our nationhood. So far Nakuru, Nyeri, Machakos and Kakamega have hosted our national celebrations.”

One of the highlights of the 56th celebrations was the unveiling of new generation banknotes with new features.