Kenya's 57th Madaraka Day slated for June 1 will be commemorated in a manner like no other in the country's 5-decade history. The prevailing coronavirus pandemic has forced Kenya to hold its first virtual Madaraka Day celebrations.
In a statement signed by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho on May 26, all Regional Commissioners were directed to set up systems for virtual celebrations in their respective regions.
"Virtual celebration of this year's Madaraka Day will be streamed through all media houses and social media platforms," the notice reads in part.
The celebration will run from 8 a.m. and will culminate in the live address by President Uhuru Kenyatta from State House, Nairobi.
The measure is part of efforts against the spread of Covid-19 as guided by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, prohibiting mass gatherings.
"The Madaraka Day production will be packed with entertainment and documentaries that highlight our culture and development milestones as a Great nation.
"This is, therefore, to ask to ask you to advise members of the public to remain at home and follow the celebrations on radio and television," Kibicho instructed.
The 56th Madaraka Day celebrations were held at the Narok Stadium in line with a decision to have national days hosted on a rotational basis by counties outside Nairobi.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/MKtlxLt7iPg.jpg?itok=ZIXib32G","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
Kisii county was scheduled to hold this year's celebration after the county government renovated Gusii Stadium.
Earlier in the year, Governor James Ongwae stated that once complete, the current 2,500 seater stadium would constitute the main dais with a capacity to accommodate 2,000 VIPs and 8,000-seater stands.
Several high profile events have been held at the Gusii Stadium including the sixth edition of the Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (Kicosca) Games in August 2018 and 40th edition of the Kenya Communications Sports Organisation (Kecoso) Games in 2019.
