Kericho set for Mashujaa Day celebrations

By Peter Ochieng 

It is all systems go for the 2023 Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho county.

The Friday, October 2023 event will be held at the Kericho Green Stadium, presided over by president William Ruto.

According to Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan, security has been beefed up.

Speaking to KBC Channel 1, Hassan said at least 10,000 people are expected to attend the national celebrations.

The celebrations will also be marked in counties, with County Commissioners being charged with the responsibility of reading the president's speech.

Commissioner Hassan said they expect all guests to be seated by 7am.

“The gates will be opened by 3.00am on Friday and all guests are requested to be seated by 7.00am. We have also intensified patrols and surveillance to ensure the county is secure to host the celebrations,” he said.

He added that section of roads leading to Kericho town will be closed from 5pm today to 5am tommorrow, for the purposes of ensuring that preparations within the Kericho Central Business District (CBD) are finalised.

Motorists from areas such as Bomet, Litein, Kisii and Kisumu will be diverted to other roads.

Guests using air transport will land at the Kerenga airstrip. This year’s Mashujaa Day is being celebrated under the theme of Universal Health Care (UHC).

President Ruto will lead the country in the second Mashujaa Day celebrations since assuming office a year ago.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) led by Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla has already held Mashujaa Day rehearsals.

Kericho governor Eric Mutai is among those who attended the rehearsals on Wednesday.

"It is now time to come together and commemorate the valor and determination of our Shujaa who profoundly influenced our wonderful nation. Everything is set and ready for the D-Day. Karibuni Kericho," said the governor.