The preparations toward this year’s Mashujaa Day 2026 celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, cohosted by the three counties of Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet, have entered the final stretch.
Uasin Gishu County Commissioner (CC) Dr. Eddyson Nyale, speaking during a press briefing at his office, said the preparations have entered a critical phase while assuring residents and visitors that infrastructure, security and logistical arrangements are progressing steadily.
He affirmed that the county was honoured to host the national celebrations on October 20, which will be jointly hosted by Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Dr. Nyale said preparations were progressing well, including road works, improvement of the city and completion of facilities that will support the celebrations.
He said the three counties had adopted a coordinated approach to the celebrations, with Elgeyo Marakwet hosting the marathon, Nandi hosting volleyball and Uasin Gishu hosting football.
The counties will also hold exhibitions highlighting the celebrations’ focus on security, sports and finance, with the activities expected to strengthen social cohesion and bring communities from the three counties together.
The CC said the preparations had also accelerated work at Kipchoge Keino Stadium, which he said was approaching 75 per cent completion.
He noted that the facility would not only serve as the venue for the Mashujaa Day celebrations but would also support future continental sporting competitions, making it necessary for the works to meet international standards.
However, the CC raised concern over a shortage of workers at several ongoing projects, despite the availability of employment opportunities.
He urged young people, women and other residents to take advantage of the opportunities created by the stadium construction, affordable housing project and other infrastructure works, noting that the projects require masons, carpenters, painters and other skilled workers.
On security, Dr. Nyale said authorities had stepped up collaboration with security agencies, county enforcement teams, local leaders and communities to ensure the celebrations take place in a peaceful environment.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, saying the county leadership had allowed security officers to perform their duties without interference.
He said boda-boda operators had also been engaged and cautioned against exploiting visitors during the celebrations, particularly by taking them to isolated areas where they could be robbed.
The CC assured visitors that the county had adequate accommodation facilities and that hotels had been assessed to ensure appropriate security arrangements.
He said Uasin Gishu’s central location among the three host counties had also been an important consideration in preparations to receive visitors.
Dr. Nyale further appealed to members of the public to observe order at the celebrations, noting that arrangements were being made to accommodate about 15,000 people at the stadium.
He said people travelling from distant areas would be transported to the venue, while large screens would be installed at designated areas to enable more residents to follow the proceedings.
He urged members of the public to avoid overcrowding and pushing and to follow instructions from security agencies, the National Youth Service, chiefs and other security officers.
Dr Nyale further underscored that the celebrations had accelerated the transformation of Eldoret, with road construction, city cleaning and improvement of public facilities underway.
He cited ongoing works along several roads, including Prison Road and routes connecting Jerusalem and Block 10, as well as roads linking residential areas to Uganda Road and the affordable housing project.
He said the ongoing infrastructure projects would leave a lasting benefit beyond the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Dr. Nyale also said the modernisation of markets and other urban infrastructure was part of the wider transformation taking place in Eldoret.
He called on residents to support the government’s development programmes, saying the projects would create employment opportunities and improve the city’s economic environment.
The CC urged residents to take advantage of jobs created by the ongoing projects instead of relying solely on opportunities outside the county.
He said there was work available in various parts of the county but called for greater participation by local residents to ensure they benefited directly from the ongoing development.
He also said the county government was working with other stakeholders to improve waste management and cleanliness in Eldoret, including provision of equipment for regular waste collection.
Dr. Nyale said security measures had also been strengthened along major transport corridors, including the Southern Bypass, which he encouraged transit truck drivers to use.
He said additional security measures had been put in place along the route, including increased police presence, while cautioning truck drivers against stopping at isolated locations or allowing fuel to be syphoned from their vehicles.
He urged drivers to use designated stopping points and remain vigilant whenever they need to stop along the route.
Dr. Nyale described the completion of Kipchoge Keino Stadium as one of the major benefits of hosting the national celebrations, saying the facility would provide a platform for athletes, footballers and other sportspeople to develop their talents.
He said the upgraded sporting infrastructure in Uasin Gishu, together with facilities in Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi, would strengthen the North Rift’s ability to host major national, continental and international sporting events.
He cited Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Kamariny and Kapsabet Stadium as key facilities that could contribute to the region’s growing profile as a sports destination.
The CC said the infrastructure development taking place across the three counties would further strengthen their economic and social links.
“The three counties are connected and cannot be separated,” he said.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
