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Madaraka Day gift: Wajir elders give Ruto 100 camels
01st June, 2026 12:44 PM
President William Ruto has been gifted 100 camels by elders from Wajir County as a sign of appreciation for the development projects his administration has undertaken in the region.
Speaking during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations held at Wajir Stadium on June 1, 2026, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi announced the gift, saying it was a form of gratitude from the elders of the community in recognition of government investments that have begun transforming the area.
“On behalf of the people of Wajir, we say thank you. When you honour some of our culture, the highest honour is given to kings. The community contributes 100 camels. The elders have said that you are our king, and the 100 camels will be delivered to you at your place of choice. You are our sultan,” Abdullahi said.
The governor further said the celebrations reflected the region’s growing confidence in national participation, describing the moment as one that strengthened the sense of belonging among residents.
“The people of Wajir have waited for this day. They prayed for this moment. This celebration sends a powerful message that Wajir is fully integrated into Kenya’s shared imagination and future,” he said.
The announcement formed one of the key cultural highlights of the celebrations, which marked a historic moment as Wajir hosted Kenya’s Madaraka Day for the first time since independence. The event drew national attention and large crowds, symbolising what leaders described as growing inclusion of northern Kenya in national development and decision-making.
The celebrations were held under the national theme of education, skills, and the future, focusing on the role of learning, innovation, and technical training in driving economic growth. Government officials used the platform to highlight ongoing and planned development projects across the region, including infrastructure expansion and improved service delivery.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi also noted that the decision to rotate national celebrations to Wajir was a milestone of national unity and integration, adding that it had helped reshape long-standing perceptions of neglect in the region.
During the event, leaders emphasised that the community’s gesture of gifting camels carried deep cultural meaning. In Wajir’s pastoral traditions, camels are regarded as a key source of livelihood, providing milk, meat, transport, and economic stability, particularly in the arid environment where other forms of agriculture are limited. They also symbolise wealth, resilience, and social respect, making the offering a significant traditional honour rather than a material donation alone.
