By SHABAN MAKOKHA
June 1, 2026| Thousands of residents had gathered at Bomani Grounds in Mumias West to celebrate Madaraka Day, waving Kenyan flags and listening to speeches on development, progress and national unity.
But as the celebrations drew to a close, the mood shifted dramatically.
What began as a day of patriotism and reflection ended in running battles between youths and police officers, leaving damaged vehicles, injured residents and a town counting heavy economic losses.
The unrest erupted shortly after the official celebrations attended by Governor Fernandes Barasa, County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha and other county leaders.
For most of the day, the atmosphere had been festive. Families streamed into the venue early, traders lined the roads hoping to cash in on the large crowds, and children waved miniature Kenyan flags as leaders spoke of a brighter future for Kakamega County.
However, tensions surfaced as crowds began dispersing from the grounds.
Groups of youths gathered along roads leading into Mumias town, chanting “One Term” slogans directed at Governor Barasa and President William Ruto. Witnesses said the chants soon escalated into protests, with demonstrators erecting roadblocks and confronting motorists leaving the venue.
Within minutes, stones were hurled at vehicles, shattering windscreens and forcing passengers to take cover. Two buses were extensively damaged while several people, including a police officer, sustained injuries.
Some protesters claimed they were angered by what they described as the selective mobilisation of residents for the celebrations, alleging that buses had ferried supporters from distant sub-counties while many local youths felt sidelined.
“We watched buses arriving from all corners of Kakamega County while many local youths remained excluded. We also deserve opportunities and recognition,” one protester said.
The grievances highlighted deeper frustrations among unemployed youths who say they feel excluded from economic opportunities and development programmes.
Earlier, Governor Barasa had used the celebrations to highlight achievements made under his administration since taking office in 2022.
He cited the upgrading of roads, expansion of health facilities, modernisation of markets, implementation of water projects and bursary programmes for needy learners.
The governor also spoke of challenges inherited from previous administrations, including nearly Sh10 billion in pending bills owed to contractors and several stalled flagship projects.
Among the projects he said had delayed implementation of his Six-Pillar Development Agenda were the Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital Level Six project, Shamakhubu Level Four Hospital, Bukhungu Stadium, Lugari maize processing factory, Malava milk processing plant, Shinyalu tea factory and Iguhu Level Four Hospital.
He further announced that his administration had completed 239 water projects aimed at improving access to clean and safe drinking water across the county.
“Kakamega will never be the same again,” he told the gathering.
Outside the venue, however, events were unfolding differently.
The protests spread rapidly into Mumias town, with demonstrators erecting barricades along major roads and lighting bonfires that disrupted transport along the Kakamega-Musanda highway.
Business owners hurriedly shut their premises as fear gripped the town. Hawkers abandoned their stalls while motorists sought alternative routes to escape the violence.
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala later joined the protesters before anti-riot police dispersed the group near Hass Petrol Station.
Mumias West Sub-County Police Commander Richard Omanga said officers faced logistical challenges in responding to the unrest.
“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.
He confirmed that two school buses were damaged and a police officer injured during the confrontation.
Religious leaders condemned the violence and urged restraint.
Mumias Jamia Mosque Imam Abdallah Washiali lamented the economic losses suffered by traders, saying visitors who had travelled from across the county would have boosted local businesses.
Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop Joseph Wandera of Bishop Hannington Cathedral cautioned against the use of youths for political ends.
“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, residents were left reflecting on the irony of the day. Madaraka Day commemorates Kenya’s journey towards self-rule, democracy and responsible governance. Yet in Mumias, a celebration of freedom ended in fear, exposing underlying political tensions, youth frustrations and unresolved questions about economic inclusion.
For many residents, Madaraka Day 2026 will be remembered not for the speeches at Bomani Grounds, but for the unrest that turned a national celebration into an evening of uncertainty.
Sounds intense with the protests. What led to the situation getting so out of hand?