Eldoret is ready to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, with the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan describing the city as a fitting venue because of its rich sporting heritage and contribution to Kenya’s success in athletics.
Speaking during a media breakfast briefing in Eldoret on Monday ahead of the national celebrations scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, Hassan said the event would showcase the region’s sporting achievements and its contribution to national development, security and economic growth.
He said the joint hosting arrangement involving Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties provided an opportunity to celebrate the region’s athletic legacy while inspiring young people to pursue sporting careers.
“Eldoret, known as the City of Champions, will host the national celebrations alongside its neighbouring co-host counties, with Nandi recognised as the Source of Champions and Elgeyo Marakwet as the Home of Champions,” he said.
Hassan said Mashujaa Day should go beyond honouring national heroes to create lasting opportunities for young people through improved sports facilities, coaching, talent development and better athlete welfare.
He said preparations had included inspections of ongoing works at Kamariny Stadium and the Chepkorio Constituency Sports Academy in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kapsabet Stadium in Nandi and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
Improvements to road networks, street lighting and water supply had also formed part of the preparations to ensure the successful hosting of the national event.
The regional commissioner said sports had significant potential to create employment, promote discipline, strengthen social cohesion and open opportunities for careers and business ventures.
He added that activities leading up to Mashujaa Day had been taking place across the three host counties since October 12, bringing together ministries, departments and government agencies for exhibitions, public awareness campaigns and field demonstrations.
Residents had received information on identification and registration services, e-Citizen, water resource management, crime prevention, cybersecurity, public finance, peacebuilding and other government services.
Sports and cultural activities had complemented the exhibitions, providing opportunities for public participation while promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among communities.
Hassan commended government institutions, officers and residents for supporting the preparations, noting that the engagements had enabled citizens to access services, raise concerns and learn more about the work of public institutions.
He said the weeklong activities, coordinated through a thematic subcommittee focusing on sports, security and finance, had also provided a platform to showcase government programmes under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Among those present at the briefing were State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Secretary for Public Communications Patricia Terer Ondeng, Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale and County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani, alongside other officials.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Fredrick Maritim
