Wajir County on Thursday officially launched the Education Week Exhibitions ahead of the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a series of education-focused activities aimed at promoting innovation, skills development, and youth empowerment in northern Kenya.
The event, held at Wagberi Primary School in Wajir Town, brought together students, teachers, education stakeholders, county leaders, technocrats, innovators, and representatives from the national government. The launch formed part of the nationwide thematic activities being conducted ahead of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations.
The chief guest at the event was the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, who was accompanied by Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination in the Office of the President, alongside local leaders and education officials from Wajir County.
This year’s Madaraka Day celebrations are being held under the theme “Education, Skills and the Future,” a theme that strongly focuses on education reforms, skills development, innovation, technology, and youth empowerment as key pillars in Kenya’s future development agenda.
Speaking during the official launch, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala emphasized the critical role of education in transforming communities and creating opportunities for young people across the country. She noted that quality education and practical skills are essential in preparing the younger generation for a rapidly changing world driven by technology, innovation, and creativity.
She further highlighted the government’s continued commitment towards strengthening the education sector through improved access to learning, support for research and innovation, and the expansion of technical and vocational training opportunities for Kenyan youth.
The exhibitions featured a wide range of academic projects, innovations, practical learning demonstrations, cultural presentations, and talents showcased by learners and institutions from across the region. Students displayed creative solutions and ideas aimed at addressing challenges in education, technology, agriculture, environment, and community development.
The event also provided a platform for schools and institutions to demonstrate the importance of competency-based learning and skills-oriented education in shaping the future workforce.
Dennis Itumbi, while addressing participants, underscored the growing importance of the creative economy and innovation in creating employment opportunities for young people. He encouraged the youth to embrace technology, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and creativity as tools for economic empowerment and national development.
He noted that regions such as northern Kenya possess enormous untapped talent and potential that can contribute significantly to Kenya’s growth when supported through education and innovation programs.
Leaders and education stakeholders who attended the event described the thematic week as an important opportunity to create conversations around the future of education in Kenya and the need to bridge development gaps affecting marginalized areas.
Wajir Deputy Governor H.E Ahmed Muhumed Abdi called for more engagement and practical discussions on how the country can fully realize the goals outlined under the Madaraka Day theme. He stated that the focus on education and skills development resonates strongly with the people of Wajir and the larger northern Kenya region, where access to education and employment opportunities remains a key priority.
He further emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between the national government, county governments, education institutions, and development partners in improving learning infrastructure, supporting teachers, and creating more opportunities for young people.
The Education Week exhibitions are expected to continue over the coming days as more exhibitors, institutions, innovators, and learners showcase different products, innovations, and skills-based solutions aligned with Kenya’s education transformation agenda.
The exhibitions also form part of the broader preparations for the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations, which are expected to attract national attention as Kenya reflects on the progress made in education, empowerment, and national development since independence.