59th Madaraka Day Celebrations Cost Kenyan Taxpayers Sh70 Million

This year’s Madaraka Day celebrations cost Kenyan taxpayers approximately Sh70 million, according to Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Karanja Kibicho.

Kibicho pointed out the event’s budget is considerably much lower than other past government functions, saying that a huge chunk of the expenditure will go towards paying performers who will entertain guests and citizens.

“…Here is more of paying allowances to the people who are coming to sing and perform. It will roughly be between Sh60 and Sh70 million,” Kibicho told Citizen TV in an interview.

President Kenyatta led the 59th Madaraka Day fete which is expected to be his last national celebration as the sitting president of the Republic of Kenya ahead of the August 9th elections. Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio was the chief guest of this year's celebrations.

Other leaders who attended the event included Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua, and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka.

The ceremony was held at the newly constructed and refurbished Uhuru Gardens Memorial Park and graced by 30,000 people.