The 15th Mara Day Celebrations will be held in Bomet County, Republic of Kenya, on 15 th September 2026, following official confirmation by the Government of Kenya.
The confirmation was communicated in a letter dated 16th July 2026 from the Ministry of East African Community (EAC), the ASALs and Regional Development to the Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Dr. Masinde Bwire.
This year’s theme, “Diverse Life, One River: Keep the Mara Thriving!”, highlights the importance of protecting the Mara River Basin a shared transboundary ecosystem that supports biodiversity, tourism, agriculture, and the livelihoods of millions of people in the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Observed annually by the East African Community (EAC) Partner States, Mara Day raises awareness of the conservation and sustainable management of the Mara River Basin.
The celebrations bring together government officials, conservation organizations, local communities, development partners, researchers, students, and other stakeholders to promote environmental stewardship and regional cooperation.
This year’s programme is expected to include environmental awareness campaigns, tree-planting activities, exhibitions, cultural performances, and discussions on sustainable management of the Mara River ecosystem.
Representatives from the relevant ministries of Kenya and Tanzania, together with regional and international stakeholders, are expected to participate in the celebrations.
The Mara Ecosystem is one of the most important ecosystems within the Lake Victoria Basin, supporting rich biodiversity, tourism, and the livelihoods of millions of people. Recognizing its significance, the 10th Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin, held on 4th May 2012 in Kigali, Rwanda, declared 15 September as Mara Day, coinciding with the annual Great Wildebeest Migration between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission coordinates the celebrations on a rotational basis among EAC Partner States.
The 14th Mara Day was hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania in Butiama District, Mara Region, in 2025.
Beyond celebrating the shared Mara–Serengeti ecosystem, Mara Day has served as a platform for strengthening transboundary cooperation. Notable achievements include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya and Tanzania on the management of the Mara River Basin’s transboundary water resources and the establishment of the Mara River Transboundary Water Users’ Forum. Kenya’s hosting of the 15th edition reaffirms the country’s commitment to regional environmental conservation and the sustainable management of one of East Africa’s most iconic ecosystems.
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