Uproar in Nyeri, Migori after all elected leaders skip Madaraka Day celebrations

Migori and Nyeri County Commissioners led uproar in their various jurisdictions as they faulted their respective elected political leaders for blatantly skipping Madaraka Day celebrations held on Thursday.

The County Commissioners presided over the celebrations which were marked individually across the counties.

Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu said the absence of political leaders makes it difficult for administrators to address some of the issues affecting the locals.

This as the entire county’s political leadership, apart from the Deputy Governor, gave this year's Madaraka Day celebrations held at the Kamukunji Grounds in Nyeri town a wide berth.

“As for today, this is the whole sub-county, there is not even a single MCA. I don’t know whether they travelled abroad or what happened…I think in future events, we should also be joined by the members of political events for the success of the ceremonies,” he said.

Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga, on his part, also decried the lack of attendance by political leaders noting that no single elected leader turned up for the occasion, including the MCAs.

"We have over 10 elected leaders in this county. If we talk of the MCAs, they are more. Ni vibaya sana wakati tunasherehekea madaraka yetu, that leaders do not attend," Gitonga said.

He underscored the importance of the gathering saying national celebrations are not for the incumbent government but for the people of Kenya, and therefore urged the elected leaders and the members of the public to embrace the fetes.

"I am requesting the leaders wherever they are, Madaraka Day is a day when we sit down as the people of Migori and talk. Kenya does not belong to the government in power; it belongs to all of us and it is our country. That is why freedom fighters from all parts of our country fought for freedom. Let us all be patriotic to our country," he stated.

Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko’s speech was read by Suna East sub-county administrator Dustan Chacha during the celebrations.

A section of members of the public who spoke to Citizen Digital said there is need for elected leaders and members of the public to embrace national celebrations.