BY MANUEL ODENY

Government has assured the upgrade of the Raila Odinga Stadium will be completed as preparations are on top gear for the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay town.

Earlier on Wednesday a team from the Kenya Defence Forces met with officials from both national and Homa Bay county government led by governor Gladys Wanga in final stages for preparations on several activities underway at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County.

The Commanding Officer of the 7th Battalion Kenya Rifles (7KR), Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Musao—who is the military Parade Commander— led the KDF team.

KDF in a statement said the preparations include “rehearsals for the security forces parade.”

“This year’s Madaraka Day celebrations will be held under the theme “Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.” Madaraka Day is celebrated annually to commemorate Kenya’s attainment of self-rule,” KDF said.

Less than a week ago, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya,  Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Governor Wanga visited the venue and said the progress was on good stead.

The team noted that the stadium had been expanded and can now accommodate over 12,000 seats.

“President Ruto came here with ODM leader Raila Odinga in December last year and directed that this stadium be upgraded. As we stand here today, I can confirm that the work has been done and the only thing remaining is the placement of iron sheet on the roof, work which is going on,” Mvurya said.

The CS said the stadium will be handed over to the county government before the event, a move he said will convince the critics that the government fulfills its development promises.

“We are ensuring that this stadium is upgraded to an international facility. This will convince those who doubt government pledges to think otherwise.” Mvurya said

“What we are seeing here is not an Artificial Intelligence. This is a modern stadium that has been constructed. Let us have faith in President Ruto’s promises on development,” Wanga said.

She expressed confidence that the project will enable the nation to sit under the stadium’s roof during Madaraka Day celebrations next month.

“This stadium shows that Homa Bay is ready for Madaraka Day. I assure you that it is going to be a Madaraka Day like no other,” Wanga said.

Dr Omollo said hosting Madaraka Day has opened Homa Bay for development noting that many roads and other projects were ongoing.

“The hosting of the celebration is going to enhance economic transformation for the people of Homa Bay. I tell residents to position themselves and take advantage of the opportunities for economic growth,” Dr Omollo said.

During the occasion, Ruto is expected to open a number of projects in the county such as affordable housing and ultra-modern fish market.

Kaluma also expressed confidence that the projects will spur economic growth in the area.

“I am impressed by the number of projects in this area because they are going to transform the lives of our people economically,” Kaluma said.