Mandera: Mandera County joined the rest of the country in marking this year's Madaraka Day celebrations, commemorating Kenya's attainment of internal self-rule on June 1, 1963.
According to Kenya News Agency, the celebrations, held across various locations in the county, brought together local leaders, government officials, civil servants, elders, women's organizations, and members of the public in a powerful display of unity and patriotism. This year's Madaraka day message of 'let's keep peace' was reverberated among all the county residents.
Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako commended the local community for their unity and resilience, highlighting the county's continued progress in sectors such as infrastructure, education, health, and youth empowerment. 'Mandera has come a long way. The peace and development we're experiencing today are a result of the people's commitment to better their lives and cooperation with the government,' said Commissioner Ochako.
However, the County Commissioner also issued a stern warning to individuals using misleading video clips to disrupt the peace in the region. 'Those circulating inciteful or fake content to stir unrest are being closely monitored. We urge them to surrender to the nearest police stations for questioning. The security team will not sit back and watch a few individuals destabilize the peace we've worked hard to build,' he added.
Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim, in his remarks, urged all those involved in the issuance of national identification documents to strictly adhere to the recent presidential directive against unauthorized vetting. 'Anyone still defying this directive should stop immediately. We must operate within the law to ensure fairness and order,' he stressed.
Leaders at the event underscored the importance of national unity and peaceful coexistence, calling on residents to remain united regardless of political or ethnic differences. In Mandera town, the main event featured the national flag-raising ceremony, traditional performances, and speeches from key leaders, all centered on peacebuilding, development, and the impact of devolution on grassroots service delivery.
The day ended with a collective commitment to uphold peace, foster development, and protect the freedoms that Madaraka Day represents.