President William Ruto marked a historic Madaraka Day celebration in Wajir County, the first time the national event has been held in Northern Kenya in 63 years.

Speaking during the celebrations on June 1, Ruto described the occasion as a strong statement of inclusion, saying Madaraka symbolises freedom and dignity for all Kenyans regardless of region.

He acknowledged that Northern Kenya has faced years of marginalisation and apologised to residents, promising more equitable development going forward.A key highlight of the event was the renaming of the newly built Wajir Stadium to Ahmed Khalif Wajir Stadium.The decision followed requests from local leaders and residents.

Ahmed Khalif was Kenya’s shortest-serving Cabinet minister, having served for only 20 days as labour minister in 2003 before he died in a plane crash in Busia.Ruto said the renaming was a fitting tribute to his legacy.

The stadium, with a capacity of 10,000 and currently about 90% complete, is part of broader government efforts to improve infrastructure in the region.

The president assured residents that the facility will be upgraded to meet national standards, alongside improvements to Wajir Airport and other development projects.

Beyond sports, the stadium is expected to support youth empowerment through talent development, as well as provide opportunities in creative arts, film, and ICT innovation.

After the Madaraka Day event, contractors are set to resume work to finalise the project based on an expanded design that supports economic growth and youth engagement.Overall, the event was positioned as both a symbolic and practical step toward national cohesion and balanced regional development.