Uhuru's Consolation to Kisii County After Cancelling Madaraka Day Fete

President Uhuru Kenyatta giving his Madaraka Day address at State House, Nairobi on June 1, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta giving his Madaraka Day address at State House, Nairobi on June 1, 2020.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the 57th Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, at State House as opposed to the initial venue in Kisii County.

The ceremony that was to be held at Kisii stadium was disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic prompting the government to hold its first-ever virtual celebrations to adhere to social distancing measures.

Speaking in Kisii following Uhuru's address, Governor James Ongwae disclosed that the Office of the President had a consolation for the county following the cancellation.

"Uhuru has confirmed that they will honour the promise to the people of Kisii and the next national celebration that can be held in public will be openly hosted in this county," he announced noting that the event would be determined with how long the Covid-19 pandemic would last.

He further thanked the president for the infrastructural development undertaken in preparation for the event adding that it would go a long way in boosting the county.

"It will keep us prepared to host the next open National function," he noted.

Kisii was to host the celebrations after Narok hosted the 56th celebrations following a decision to have national days hosted on a rotational basis by counties outside Nairobi.

The county government had renovated Gusii Stadium with the governor confirming 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.

Kisii County Commissioner Stephen Kihara assured that projects which had been undertaken by the government would be completed by then, with 95 per cent already done.

"We will ensure they are done up to the required standards. The government has signed tender documents with all the contractors and we expect them to achieve the set targets," he stated in a previous interview.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae (centre) leads National Government officials on a tour of Gusii Stadium.
Kisii Governor James Ongwae (centre) leads National Government officials on a tour of Gusii Stadium in February 2020.
The Standard
Sammy Omingo

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday, May 30, released new guidelines to govern public gatherings advising that only guests with proven health records should be allowed, indicating that the functions should be held outdoors and arrivals should be staggered while the frequency of transport should be increased.

"People with a higher risk of transmitting Covid-19 should not attend the event (e.g. those with Covid-19 symptoms, contacts of Covid-19 cases during their period of quarantine, or those coming from countries/areas with community transmission of Covid-19).

"Prevention and control measures applicable during this phase include regulating the flow and density of people entering, attending, and departing the event," reads the guidance in part.