President William Ruto has announced that the 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations will be held in Wajir County.

Taking to his official X account on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Ruto announced that the government had invested at least Ksh900 million in the construction of a Modern Stadium in Wajir ahead of the 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations.

On his part, Ruto announced a fast-tracking of the construction of the10,000-seater stadium in Wajir County, which he said the significant event will be hosted at the facility.

“To further advance balanced national development, we are building a 10,000-seater modern stadium in Wajir town at a cost of KSh900 million,” Ruto stated.

According to Ruto, with Wajir hosting the Madaraka Day celebrations thie year will mark the first time a national holiday will be commemorated in the Northern Frontier.

“The facility will host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, the first time a national holiday will be commemorated in the Northern Frontier,” Ruto said.

Benefit for Wajir residents

Following a recent site visit by the Principal Secretary for Defence, Patrick Mariru, who was accompanied by his counterparts, Elijah Mwangi (Sports) and Umi Bashir (Culture, Arts and Heritage), the leaders assured residents that the Stadium will be completed in time.

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,” Mariru said.

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.