By Habil Onyango
The National Government announced on Saturday that several roads in Homa Bay will be closed during the Madaraka Day celebrations taking place at Raila Odinga Stadium.
Florence Mworoa, the Nyanza Regional Commissioner, stated that these closures are in effect for the duration of the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations.
This landmark ceremony, the first of its kind to be held in Homa Bay County, will be presided over by President William Ruto and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar who will be the main chief guest
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, among other dignitaries are also expected to grace the occassion
During a media briefing held at the Cold Springs Hotel on Saturday morning, Mworoa outlined the plans for crowd control, traffic diversion, emergency response, and designated parking areas to ensure the safety of all participants.
She instructed, “Roads around the stadium, State Lodge, and County Commissioner’s office will be closed to regular traffic and reserved for dignitaries.”
Furthermore, motorists traveling from Kisumu and Kendu Bay to Mbita, Oyugis, Rongo, Kisii, and Migori who are not attending the event will need to divert at Olare to Imbo-Rodi to avoid congestion. Those coming from Kisii, Migori, and Oyugis heading to Kisumu (also not attending) should branch off at Rodi to Imbo, rejoining the route at Olare.
Accompanied by the Homa Bay County Commissioner and other government officials, Mworoa announced additional traffic directives: “All vehicles coming from Rodi into Homa Bay that are not attending Madaraka Day will be diverted at the Kodoyo/Mbita junction to the main matatu stage. Vehicles from Kisumu heading to Rodi will be diverted at the matatu stage to the Kodoyo/Mbita junction,” she explained.
Celebrants arriving from Kisumu will be diverted at Makongeni to drop off passengers at the stadium and park in designated areas, including Asego Comprehensive School, KMTC, Tourist Hotel, Got Rabuor Primary and Secondary Schools, or SDA Central Church. Additionally, buses will park at Homa Bay Primary School. Vehicles coming from Rodi will also be diverted at the Kodoyo/Mbita junction for drop-off before proceeding to the same designated parking lots.
According to the announced directives, all VVIP and VIP vehicles heading to the Garden Party will drop off at the State Lodge gate and park at LaSalle and Lake Primary School. Government vehicles are to park at the Homa Bay Police Station and the County Commissioner’s office compound.
Mworoa emphasized, “Matatus, buses, and boda bodas should use the main matatu stage for parking. We warmly welcome everyone to the Madaraka Day celebrations at Homa Bay.”
She mentioned that all preparations for the event are complete, with attendees expected to be seated by 6 a.m., and stadium gates opening as early as 4 a.m. “We want to welcome everyone to the Madaraka Day celebrations; all arrangements are finalized,” she assured.
Thanks to the support of President Ruto’s government, the stadium has been expanded and can now accommodate up to 12,000 people.
