Madaraka Day won’t spur real county development, says economist Ogolla

Economist Fred Ogolla has raised alarm over the uneven and unsustainable development patterns in Kenya's counties, criticizing the tendency to showcase progress only during national events like Madaraka Day instead of pursuing consistent, long-term planning.

In an interview aired on a local TV station on Sunday, June 1, 2025, Ogolla noted that this practice results in a situation where some counties benefit from government attention and funding just once a year, while residents continue to grapple with underdevelopment for the rest of the time.

Ogolla has cautioned that while national celebrations like Madaraka Day may offer moments to launch development projects, they should not be confused with a viable long-term development model.

He argued that tying major projects to one-day events risks sidelining most counties for years. “If Madaraka Day is the only time a leader commissions a road, then it means other counties could wait decades to see similar progress.

We now have 47 counties does that mean some will have to wait 47 years to witness meaningful development?” he posed.

Ogolla stressed that true development goes beyond high-profile, rushed projects unveiled for show.

He singled out Homa Bay as an example, noting that the county’s real need lies in creating sustainable income opportunities rather than quick fixes tied to ceremonial events.

"What Homa Bay really needs is income generation," he said.

"Without consistent revenue streams, infrastructure alone won’t change lives. It’s disturbing that someone born 47 years ago is just now seeing development for the first time. That’s not progress. What the people need is real income. Without that, all the roads and ribbon-cuttings are just noise."

Ogolla further criticized the sudden influx of construction equipment and roadworks in Homa Bay ahead of Madaraka Day, suggesting the activity is more for show than substance.

He claimed that the machinery, which arrived in large numbers in the run-up to the event, would likely be withdrawn just hours after the celebrations end.

He cautioned residents and leaders against mistaking the temporary buzz for lasting impact. "By tomorrow, the roads will be gone. The graders will disappear. The county will slip back into silence," he said.

Ogolla also pointed to deeper issues in the region, such as insecurity, which he claimed contributes to Homa Bay’s stagnation.

"This is a county that wakes up late and sleeps early—not because it wants to, but because it feels unsafe. That’s not how development takes root," he added.

Ogolla also weighed in on viral photos showing thousands of Kenyans streaming into Raila Odinga Stadium on the night of Saturday, May 31, 2025, ahead of Madaraka Day.

He argued that the massive turnout speaks less to patriotism and more to a troubling reality—widespread unemployment and lack of meaningful engagement among the population.

"To me, when people are that eager to watch something they’ve seen before, it highlights a deeper problem," he said.

"This isn’t about love for country—it’s about idleness. People are jobless, the nation lacks direction, and that’s what brings them out in such large numbers."

Ogolla recalled a different era, saying during the early days of independence, citizens were more focused on building their futures than attending public events merely for spectacle.

He urged Kenyans to prioritize income-generating activities over spending hours or even days waiting for speeches and celebrations.