As Kenya marks its 62nd Madaraka Day, Homa Bay County is not just celebrating independence; it is making history and staking its rightful place as the epicenter of the country’s blue economy.
Hosting the national celebration for the first time since independence, Homa Bay is showcasing a blend of national pride, strategic development and regional empowerment.
Governor Gladys Wanga says this moment is far more than ceremonial, it’s transformational.
“We are excited as Homa Bay County to host the Madaraka Day celebrations and I would really like to thank President William Ruto for choosing Homa Bay,” said Governor Wanga in an interview ahead of the event.
“This is history made, our children get to witness the pride of the nation through the parades, the jets and the festivities. But more importantly, it signals that we are part of Kenya’s development journey.”
Homa Bay is home to 50pc of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa, making it a natural hub for the blue economy, which focuses on the sustainable use of aquatic resources for economic growth.
“If we are talking about maritime transport or fisheries, Homa Bay is the right place to have this conversation. We’re not just participating in the blue economy, we’re driving it,” said Governor Wanga.
From fisheries to aquaculture and lake transport to tourism, the county is positioning itself as a launchpad for national and regional blue economy conversations.
And this year’s Madaraka Day theme, “Our Water, Our Wealth,” couldn’t be more fitting.
Thanks to a growing partnership with the national government, Homa Bay is seeing a surge in strategic infrastructure.
A modern pier, redeveloped after more than 50 years, now links the county to Kisumu, Bukoba and Mwanza, transforming Homa Bay into a critical player in cross-border trade across Lake Victoria.
“That pier is not just infrastructure, it’s a revitalized transport corridor that connects us to East Africa,” said Wanga.
The celebrations have also fast-tracked the completion of the Raila Odinga Stadium, road expansions such as the Gor Mahia Ring Road (set for groundbreaking by the President), and the strengthening of local water services.
“These projects are not just for show. They leave a legacy. If that road is completed, Homa Bay will have very little more to ask of His Excellency,” Wanga added.
Governor Wanga says this celebration is not just about development but also about national healing and inclusion.
“It is on record that Homa Bay did not vote for President Ruto; we voted overwhelmingly for Raila Odinga,” she said candidly. “But the fact that both leaders are coming together here proves that no part of the country should be left behind, no matter how it voted.”
She called the unity between President Ruto and Raila Odinga a testament to Kenya’s political maturity.
“You can fault many things, but you cannot fault unity or the stability of a nation. Without it, no one thrives, not the government, not the opposition, not the people. And we are happy that these partnerships are keeping Kenya strong.”
The Madaraka Day celebrations will begin on May 29 with a Blue Economy Conference opened by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Raila Odinga will be the chief guest on May 30, while Rwandan President Paul Kagame will give the keynote address on May 31.
The climax will be on June 1, when President Ruto leads the national celebration at the lakefront.
“We want to see every Kenyan here, even those in opposition. This is not just Homa Bay’s Day, its Kenya’s day,” Governor Wanga concluded.
