The iconic annual cultural and sporting event, the Maralal International Camel Derby, has been postponed, leaving small business operators, camel racers, traditional house builders and residents of Yare village disappointed.

The 33rd edition of the derby, which was scheduled to take place from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27, 2026, will now be held from October 22 to 25.

The affected residents said the last-minute postponement had disrupted their preparations and business plans, with many having already invested time and resources in anticipation of the four-day event.

The derby is one of Samburu County’s flagship cultural and tourism events, attracting camel racers, local and international tourists, cultural groups and traders from across the country and beyond.

It is also an important economic opportunity for residents of Yare village, where the event is hosted.

Among those affected are women who construct traditional Samburu houses, commonly known as Manyatta, for cultural exhibitions at the venue.

Nailipu Lekerde, one of the women involved in constructing the houses, said they had made extensive preparations before learning about the postponement.

“We had made preparations for the derby and were disappointed after learning about the postponement at the last minute,” said Lekerde.

She called on the Samburu County Government to increase the women’s daily allowance to at least Sh1,000, saying they play an important role in preserving and showcasing Samburu culture.

“We are calling on the county government to consider us whenever there are events that showcase our culture. We dress in our traditional attire, and since we never went to school, this is how we preserve our rich culture,” she added.

Camel racers also expressed concern over the disruption, saying they had spent about two months preparing for the competition and had made arrangements for their animals.

Loibelu Lewarani said the postponement had forced racers to reconsider their plans, particularly because the area is currently experiencing a dry season.

“We are calling on the county government to plan effectively before setting dates because the postponement has disrupted our schedules. We are in the dry season and have to find pasture and water for our livestock,” said Lewarani.

He said some racers would now be forced to move their camels to Marsabit and Kirimon in search of pasture and water until the competition is held.

Residents and small-scale traders in Yare had also anticipated increased business during the derby, with several already transporting food, drinks and traditional products to the event grounds.

Local accommodation providers who had prepared their facilities for visitors were also reportedly facing losses and uncertainty after expecting increased bookings during the event.

In a brief statement issued by the Governor’s Press Service, the county government attributed the postponement to scheduling conflicts involving the chief guest of honour and international participants.

“Due to scheduling conflicts involving our Chief Guest of Honour and international participants, Samburu County Government has rescheduled the upcoming derby,” the statement said.

by Robert Githu