President William Samoei Ruto on Monday evening held consultations with political and administrative leaders from Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi counties to lay the groundwork for this year’s Mashujaa Day national celebrations. The event is set to be jointly hosted by the three North Rift counties in Eldoret City.
In a statement shared after the meeting, the Head of State said the discussions focused on coordination, inclusivity, and the significance of marking the national holiday outside the capital for the second time in recent years.
“This evening, I hosted leaders from Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties to discuss the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations to be co-hosted by the three counties in Eldoret City,” President Ruto said. “Considering the symbolism of the occasion, I urged the leaders to involve all the stakeholders in preparation of the national event.”
Mashujaa Day, observed every October 20th, honors Kenyans who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation. Traditionally held in Nairobi, the government has in recent years decentralized the celebrations to give different regions an opportunity to host and showcase their heritage, infrastructure, and development progress.
This year’s choice of Eldoret City is significant. As the fifth city in Kenya and the capital of Uasin Gishu County, Eldoret has grown into a major economic and sports hub in the North Rift. By co-hosting with neighboring Elgeyo-Marakwet and Nandi counties, the event is expected to highlight the interconnectedness of the region and its collective contribution to nation-building.
During the meeting at State House, President Ruto emphasized that the celebrations should not be seen as a government-only affair. He called on governors, MPs, senators, MCAs, religious leaders, civil society, business community, youth groups, and cultural custodians from the three counties to take part in planning.
“The spirit of Mashujaa is about ordinary Kenyans doing extraordinary things,” he noted. “That is why we must ensure every voice is heard as we prepare. This is a moment for the people of the North Rift, and indeed all Kenyans, to reflect on heroism, sacrifice, and service.”
While full details of the program are yet to be released, discussions in the meeting touched on several key areas:
Eldoret has been undergoing major upgrades in roads, public spaces, and the airport ahead of its elevation to city status. Leaders briefed the President on readiness of venues, security, transport, and accommodation. The aim is to ensure the event runs smoothly and leaves a lasting legacy of improved facilities for residents.
Given that three counties will co-host, there is an expectation that the celebrations will feature a rich display of Kalenjin culture, music, dance, and history. Leaders agreed to involve elders and cultural institutions to curate exhibitions that tell the story of heroes from the region from freedom fighters to athletes, teachers, doctors, and community organizers.
Hosting a national event is also viewed as an economic opportunity. Hotels, boda boda operators, traders, and artisans in Eldoret and surrounding towns are expected to benefit from increased activity. The President urged county governments to prioritize local suppliers and creatives in procurement for the event.
In past devolved celebrations, the national government has used the occasion to commission development projects. It is anticipated that Mashujaa Day in Eldoret will be used to launch or inspect key projects in health, education, agriculture, and sports sectors where the North Rift has made notable strides.
President Ruto’s directive to involve “all stakeholders” signals an effort to make the event as inclusive as possible. The North Rift has a diverse population, and leaders acknowledged the need to ensure women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities are represented in the planning committees.
The co-hosting model itself carries symbolism. Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi share borders, history, and many socio-economic ties. By coming together for Mashujaa Day, the counties are expected to demonstrate regional cooperation that can be replicated in other areas such as water management, agriculture, and security.
One governor present at the meeting said: “This is not about one county. It’s about three counties telling one story of resilience and progress. Eldoret is the face, but the heartbeat is from all of us.”
Leaders who attended the meeting expressed optimism about the event. They noted that Eldoret’s elevation to city status earlier this year makes it a fitting venue to host national guests, diplomats, and citizens from across the country.
An MP from Nandi said the celebrations would be an opportunity to honor local heroes whose stories are often overlooked in national narratives. “We have teachers who walked 20 kilometers to teach, nurses who served during crises, and athletes who put Kenya on the map. Mashujaa Day is their time,” he said.
From Elgeyo-Marakwet, leaders emphasized the need to link the celebrations to ongoing programs on climate action, water conservation in the Kerio Valley, and youth empowerment.
The decision to hold Mashujaa Day outside Nairobi aligns with the broader agenda of devolution. Since 2013, Kenya has rotated national celebrations to different counties — from Kisumu to Kakamega, Embu to Nakuru. The goal has been to decentralize national events, spur regional pride, and test the capacity of county governments to host large gatherings.
For the North Rift, this will be a first-time hosting of Mashujaa Day. It comes at a time when the region is also positioning itself as a center for sports tourism, agribusiness, and higher education. Eldoret is famously known as the “Home of Champions” due to its production of world-class athletes.
Analysts say a successful event could boost investor confidence in the region and highlight how devolution has transformed urban centers outside Nairobi and Mombasa.
With a few months to go before October 20th, county teams from the three counties are expected to form joint technical committees to work with national government agencies. Security, protocol, media, and public participation forums will be key areas of focus.
President Ruto closed the meeting by reiterating that Mashujaa Day should inspire Kenyans to serve. “Heroes are not just in history books. They are in our hospitals, classrooms, farms, and businesses today. Let us use this day to recognize them and to recommit ourselves to building the Kenya we want,” he said.
The upcoming celebrations in Eldoret City are therefore expected to be more than a one-day event. They are being framed as a moment of reflection, unity, and renewed commitment to service values that define the meaning of Mashujaa.
As preparations begin in earnest, all eyes will be on the North Rift to see how Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi deliver a national celebration that honors the past while showcasing the future of the region.
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