Under a piercing blue sky and the heat of a mid-morning sun, the small lakeside town of Homa Bay stepped confidently into the national spotlight on Saturday. Thousands gathered at the newly revamped Raila Odinga Stadium to mark Kenya’s 62nd Madaraka Day — a spectacle of military pageantry, cultural pride, and political symbolism.

By 10 a.m., the mercury had climbed past 24°C, but the crowd showed no signs of slowing. Waving flags and fanning themselves with programmes, they jostled for seats, eager for a view of the country’s most important annual celebration of self-rule.

At 11 a.m., the energy surged. President William Ruto arrived with First Lady Rachel Ruto, welcomed by a crisp red carpet and full ceremonial honours. Cameras clicked and ululations rang out as the head of state, flanked by Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, inspected a guard of honour.

“Today we not only honour our journey to self-governance, but we also recognise the potential of counties like Homa Bay to shape our shared future,” President Ruto told the nation in his keynote address.

The theme was unity through diversity — and the programme reflected just that.

A Show of Force and Flair

Kenya’s armed forces pulled out all the stops. Fighter jets roared above in tight formations, twisting and climbing in heart-stopping aerial stunts. Below, troops from the Kenya Defence Forces, General Service Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit, and other elite forces marched in perfect sync.

“It felt like a scene from a James Bond film,” said Paul Otieno, a university student from Kisumu who travelled overnight to attend. “The jets, the gear, the precision — it was unforgettable.”

Units not often in the public eye, such as the Kenya Police Dog Unit and Tourist Police, also had their moment, earning cheers as they paraded past the stands.

The disciplined display wasn’t just muscle and might — it was a message. Kenya’s military, facing growing regional security concerns, appeared keen to project strength and modernisation.

Culture in Full Colour

But this was more than just a show of steel.

The crowd swayed and clapped as local Luo traditional dancers took the stage, their feet moving to the beat of the Orutu and the stringed Nyatiti. Benga music filled the stadium, and performers in full regalia twirled to the rhythm of history.

“Madaraka Day belongs to all of us,” said Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, speaking shortly before the cultural segment began. “Hosting it here shows the strength of devolution — and our pride as a people.”

Scouts and Girl Guides, dressed smartly and marching in unison, added a youthful spark to the proceedings, representing the next generation of citizens in a nation still evolving.

A Town Transformed

For Homa Bay, this was a coming-of-age moment. The renovated Raila Odinga Stadium — named after the local political icon and opposition leader — gleamed in the sun. Roads were freshly paved, security was tight, and vendors lined the streets selling snacks, water, and miniature flags.

Locals say the celebration may be temporary, but its impact could be lasting.

“This town has never seen anything like it,” said Mary Achieng’, a shopkeeper who runs a stall near the stadium. “We’ve had visitors from all over Kenya. Maybe this will change things.”

A Celebration Amid Tensions

Still, the festivities unfolded under a cloud of political tension. Just days earlier, opposition leader Raila Odinga had urged the government to compensate victims of the recent Gen-Z protests against the 2025 Finance Bill. His call followed the controversial arrest of digital activist Rose Njeri, a key voice in the online campaign against the bill.

While President Ruto made no direct reference to the protests, the government’s display of state power and national unity seemed aimed, in part, at calming a restive youth population.

One thing was clear by the time the last jets disappeared into the clouds and the final drumbeat echoed across the lake: Homa Bay had delivered. In spirit, in style, and in spectacle, it had seized its moment.

Whether the legacy of Madaraka 2025 lives beyond the confetti and speeches, only time will tell.