Bungoma, Kenya – John Wanjala Makhanu, a respected retired chief with an impressive 33 years of dedicated public service, has passionately urged residents of Bungoma North to actively participate in Madaraka Day events. He emphasized the importance of these celebrations not only to honor the nation’s hard-won freedom but also as an opportunity for citizens to stay informed about ongoing government initiatives and development projects.

A Call to Patriotism and Unity

Mr. Makhanu, who has since transitioned to farming after his retirement, shared poignant recollections of attending Kenya’s very first Madaraka Day celebrations in 1963. He drew upon this historic experience to call upon modern Kenyans, especially the youth, to emulate the profound patriotism and unity demonstrated by the nation's founding generation. Speaking at a community gathering in a village hall in Misikhu, he articulated that Madaraka Day celebrations offer a vital platform to foster national unity, civic pride, and to educate citizens, particularly younger generations, about the country’s significant journey to self-rule and its subsequent development path. Makhanu stressed that a strong collective memory of history is fundamental to strengthening national identity and driving continued progress and development for all Kenyans.