PS Omollo inspects stadium ahead of Ruto visit

Internal Security PS Raymond Omollo flanked by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka as he inspected ongoing construction at the Masinde Muliro Stadium which will host Madaraka Day Celebrations in June. [Courtesy Raymond Omollo, X]

Internal Security PS Dr Raymond Omollo has led the National Celebrations Committee to inspect the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, for the upcoming Madaraka Day Celebrations.

The celebration will see President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and a host of other dignitaries address the nation from the rural county on June 1, 2024.

The PS outlined elaborate security measures put in place for the occasion which multitudes are expected to attend.

"The thing is there is a lot of excitement and interest when such (national) celebrations are held outside Nairobi making it mandatory to do thorough planning," he said.

"We had an unfortunate event in Kericho last year when there was a stampede and we do not want such to happen in Bungoma or anywhere else during celebrations."

Dr Omollo said that the regional security was keenly following the preparations and among the measures that would be taken include screening all those who will get into the stadium and barring crowds from milling around it.

The PS at the same time asked locals in Bungoma to visit the National Cereals Produce Board to get the subsidised fertiliser as the President meant well for farmers.

The inspection tour came two months after the National Celebrations Committee led by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Principal Administrative Secretary Anne Ngetich visited the stadium on January 18.

Then the committee was informed that phase one of the stadium with a 4,000 sitting capacity was complete and phase two which entails an additional 4 sitting terraces with a capacity of 20,000 persons was to be completed by March.

The stadium has so far been fitted with guard houses, ticketing booths, ramps for Persons with Disability at all key points and four ablution blocks under the terraces.

Previously, Bungoma Deputy Governor Jennipher Mbatiany said the county would benefit a lot from hosting the national event.

She called on the businessmen in the hospitality and trade industry to capitalize on the opportunity to make profits.

The County has so far formed a committee to work alongside the National committee to oversee speedy completion of the stadium ahead of the celebrations.

The country undertook to mark all important days at the county and sub-county level for unity of purpose save for Jamhuri Day celebrations marked in Nairobi.