Raila Odinga's Powerful Plea at Kenya's Madaraka Day

Kenya Celebrates 62nd Madaraka Day: Raila Odinga's Plea for Devolution Homa Bay, Kenya – June 1st, 2025 marked the 62nd anniversary of Madaraka Day in Kenya, a celebration of self-rule. This year's event, held at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, saw the attendance of President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The event was significant for Odinga's address, where he directly appealed to the President: "I invite you, Mr. President, to ensure devolution works by giving more resources to the counties so that they can be able to give services to the people. I plead with you, do not resurrect provisional administration! This is a relic of colonialism." Odinga's remarks highlighted concerns about the effectiveness of devolution and the need for greater financial support for county governments. His plea against the reinstatement of provisional administration underscored the historical context of Madaraka Day and the ongoing political discourse surrounding self-governance in Kenya. The event also included the launching of several development projects in Homa Bay, showcasing the government's commitment to the region's progress.