Uasin Gishu leaders have assured Kenyans the county is prepared to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, with mobilisation, accommodation and security arrangements being coordinated ahead of the October 20 national event.
Governor Jonathan Bii said the county was ready to receive President William Ruto and visitors from across the country, noting that efforts were underway to mobilise residents to participate in the historic celebrations.
Speaking during a media briefing at Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday, Bii said the county was preparing to host the national celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium, as well as presidential public rallies in Eldoret City and various sub-counties across Uasin Gishu.
“This is not just about the county government; it is about the entire country because we host everybody here. We are doing our best to mobilise people to attend the celebrations,” he said.
The Governor described the opportunity to host the national event as a historic milestone, noting that the region had never hosted Mashujaa Day celebrations before.
“It is not just about numbers; this is a historic occasion, and we do not know when Mashujaa Day celebrations will return to this region,” Bii added.
He thanked the President for choosing Uasin Gishu to co-host the national celebrations, saying the county was committed to ensuring the event’s success.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago assured visitors that the region had adequate accommodation facilities to cater for different budgets and preferences, ranging from five-star hotels and resorts to affordable establishments and camping sites.
He cited Eldoret, Kapsabet and Iten as among the areas with accommodation facilities capable of hosting visitors attending the celebrations.
“As the people of this region, we are very warm. Just in case you miss accommodation, talk to anybody in the street and tell them you want to be around for Mashujaa Day. We shall host you as a region,” Mandago said.
He also assured Kenyans that security agencies were prepared to provide a safe environment during the celebrations, noting that the County Commissioner and Regional Commissioner had assured regional leaders of their preparedness.
Mandago encouraged Kenyans to arrive a few days before the celebrations and extend their stay to explore the region’s tourism attractions, including paragliding in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
He said the North Rift offered diverse tourism experiences beyond the traditional coastal destinations and urged visitors to take advantage of the national event to discover the region.
Meanwhile, Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei said the region was privileged to host the national celebrations, describing the occasion as an opportunity for Kenyans to witness development projects and assess the progress made in implementing the government’s commitments.
“There was a time when many Kenyans and people on social media were saying that no development was taking place. This is an opportunity for them to see these projects firsthand and appreciate what has been achieved,” Shollei said.
She cited the Affordable Housing Programme, which initially faced legal challenges that delayed its implementation but had since gained momentum, with increasing demand for the available units.
Shollei said the initiative was making homeownership more accessible to ordinary Kenyans through manageable payment arrangements.
“Somebody can pay as little as Sh24,000 as a deposit and contribute another Sh3,200 every month to own a decent house equipped with electricity, clean cooking gas and internet connectivity, with safe grounds for children,” she explained.
The leaders called on Kenyans from all walks of life to visit Eldoret and participate in the national celebrations, assuring them of the region’s hospitality and readiness to host the country.
According to the presidential development tour programme, the Head of State will visit Uasin Gishu on Monday, October 12, beginning with the commissioning of the Kenya School of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Moiben Campus at 1pm.
He will proceed to Ziwa at 3pm to commission the Ziwa Dam II project and the Sirikwa-Ziwa Machine Road, as well as inspect Ziwa Level Five Hospital before addressing a public rally.
The President will return to Eldoret City on Saturday, October 17, for another round of development engagements, including commissioning the rehabilitation and desilting of Kerita Dam water project in Kesses, Kapseret Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market, Pioneer Affordable Housing Project and 64 Champions Modern Market.
He will also flag off Last Mile Electricity Connectivity at Pioneer and preside over the issuance of Women Enterprise Fund County cheques before addressing a city public rally.
The main Mashujaa Day celebrations will take place on Tuesday, October 20, at 10am at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
by Fredrick Maritim and Ekuwam Sylvester
