What began as a colourful Madaraka Day celebration in Mumias Town ended in violence and destruction after protests broke out shortly after the official event, leaving several people injured, vehicles damaged and businesses counting losses.
Thousands of residents had gathered at Bomani Grounds in Mumias West on Sunday to mark the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations.
The event was attended by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha and other county leaders, who used the occasion to highlight development achievements and call for unity.
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For much of the day, the atmosphere remained festive as families, traders and local residents filled the venue waving Kenyan flags and celebrating the country’s journey towards self-rule.
However, tensions emerged as crowds began leaving the grounds.
Groups of youths gathered along roads leading into Mumias Town, chanting “One Term” slogans directed at President William Ruto and Governor Fernandes Barasa. Witnesses said the chants quickly escalated into demonstrations, with protesters erecting roadblocks and confronting motorists leaving the venue.
The situation deteriorated rapidly as stones were hurled at vehicles, shattering windscreens and forcing passengers to seek safety. Two buses were extensively damaged while several people, including a police officer, sustained injuries during the unrest.
Some protesters claimed they were dissatisfied with what they described as the selective mobilisation of residents for the celebrations, alleging that supporters had been ferried from other parts of Kakamega County while local youths were left out.
The demonstrations exposed deeper frustrations among young people who say they continue to face unemployment and exclusion from economic opportunities and development programmes.
Earlier during the celebrations, Governor Barasa highlighted progress made under his administration since taking office in 2022. He cited investments in road infrastructure, healthcare facilities, modern markets, water projects and bursary programmes for students.
The governor also acknowledged challenges inherited from previous administrations, including nearly KSh10 billion in pending bills and several stalled development projects.
Among the projects he identified as having delayed implementation were the Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital Level Six project, Shamakhubu Level Four Hospital, Bukhungu Stadium, the Lugari maize processing factory, Malava milk processing plant, Shinyalu tea factory and Iguhu Level Four Hospital.
Barasa further announced that his administration had completed 239 water projects aimed at increasing access to clean and safe drinking water across the county.
“Kakamega will never be the same again,” he told the gathering.
Outside the celebration grounds, however, the protests spread into Mumias Town, where demonstrators erected barricades and lit bonfires that disrupted traffic along the Kakamega-Musanda highway.
Business owners closed their shops as fear gripped the town, while hawkers abandoned their stalls and motorists sought alternative routes to avoid the unrest.
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala later joined the protesters before anti-riot police dispersed the crowd near Hass Petrol Station.
Mumias West Sub-County Police Commander Richard Omanga confirmed the incidents, revealing that officers encountered logistical challenges while responding to the disturbances.
“We experienced difficulties because Mumias currently does not have a dedicated police vehicle. We had to obtain one from Musanda to assist our officers in dispersing the protesters,” he said.
Omanga confirmed that two school buses were damaged and one police officer injured during the confrontation.
Religious leaders condemned the violence and called for restraint.
Mumias Jamia Mosque Imam Abdallah Washiali expressed concern over the economic losses suffered by local traders, noting that visitors from across the county would have boosted business activities in the town.
Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop Joseph Wandera of Bishop Hannington Cathedral urged leaders and residents to pursue political differences through peaceful and democratic means.
“If any leader wishes to remove another from office, the proper avenue is through the ballot and not violence in the streets,” he said.
As calm gradually returned to the town, residents reflected on the irony of the day. While Madaraka Day is meant to celebrate freedom, democracy and responsible governance, the events in Mumias highlighted lingering political tensions, youth frustrations and concerns over economic inclusion.
For many residents, Madaraka Day 2026 will be remembered not for the speeches and celebrations at Bomani Grounds, but for the unrest that transformed a national celebration into an evening of uncertainty.