Embu County Government in collaboration with the national celebrations steering committee has kick-started preparations for the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations that will be held in Embu County under the theme ‘Universal Healthcare’ on June 1, 2023.
This is after President Dr. William Ruto announced on December 12 in his speech during the Jamhuri day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium that Kenya will commemorate its 60th Madaraka Day in Embu County.
Speaking after touring Moi Stadium and Njukiri show ground in an effort to identify a suitable venue for the celebrations, Governor Cecily Mbarire said that the national celebrations steering committee has settled on Njukiri show ground as a perfect venue for the national celebrations day.
The Governor stated that the national celebrations steering committee led by Moffat Muriithi Kangi who is the Principal Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Interior settled on Njukiri Show ground to host the national event because of the 20,000-space capacity that is needed to host the event.
Mbarire said that she will write to ASK to request it to allocate some land for the construction of a stadium and upon approval, the construction process of a stadium at Njukiri grounds will commence immediately.
“The 139 acres land belongs to the ASK and upon its approval, the construction of a stadium in preparation for the national event celebrations at Njukiri Show grounds Embu will commence immediately,” Mbarire said.
The Governor said ASK’s approval to construct a stadium at Njukiri Show grounds will be a big milestone in readiness for the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations.
This is because it has enough space for the 20,000 capacity and 3,000-5,000 car park that is required by the National Celebrations Steering Committee for a county to host the event.
She further added that Moi Stadium will not be left behind but will be considered for a facelift.
Mbarire disclosed that local contractors will be given a priority in tender awarding for the construction of the stadium at Njukiri Show grounds that will be funded by the National Government.
She said that the construction of the stadium will be done 24 hours in order to fast-truck the work.
The county boss also disclosed that Kenya Power and Lighting Company will install lights around Njukiri Show grounds so that the construction of the stadium will be 24 hours.
Mbarire said that she is in talks with the National Government so that the state of healthcare in Embu Level 5 Hospital and other county health facilities can be at par with the theme of the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations which is “Universal Healthcare.”
The Governor also said several roads within Embu town and outside the town will be carpeted in readiness of the national event celebrations on June 1.
Mbarire said that various Principal Secretaries will be touring the county to identify the roles that each Ministry will play in readiness for June 1 celebrations. “It’s a privilege to be the first County under the Kenya Kwanza Government to host a national celebrations event,” said the Governor.
She urged Embu residents to take advantage of the day to sell their products and services to the attendees.
The Governor said that the total cost for the construction of the stadium will be made public once the structural and architectural designs are completed.
Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji said that the County is projecting to be a City in the near future once it gets a state-of-the-art stadium and called on the residents to fully support the contractors of the stadium.
The lawmaker pledged total support to the contractors that will be awarded the tender to construct the stadium to fast-truck the work.
Deputy Governor Kinywa Mugo called on the hospitality industry in the County to fully take advantage of the County hosting the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations and also urged the sector to improve on their services.
Kirimari Member of County Assembly Ibrahim Swaleh urged the County Government to use the preparations for hosting Madaraka Day as an advantage and construct modern stalls for traders in Embu County.
By Justus Anzaya
