Uhuru Ditches Stadiums for New Elegant Mashujaa Day Venue [PHOTOS]

For a long time, Kenya has held her national celebrations in national stadiums. The October 20, Mashujaa Day celebrations, however, will see the government ditch the cliche' for the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa.

Tourism CS Najib Balala, speaking in a panel on KTN News on Wednesday, October 16, expressed his delight at Mombasa being able to host the historic celebrations. He lauded the waterfront as beautiful and symbolic to the people of Mombasa.

The venue which was renovated at a cost of Ksh433 million boasts an amazing view of the ocean, well patterned and tendered palm trees, a 1000 seater amphitheatre and the Kilindini Cultural Centre.

Mama Ngina waterfront has three pigeon towers, each named after the three communities from the region; Wakilindini, Watangana and Wachangamwe.

After regeneration and refurbishment, Mama Ngina Drive was renamed to Mama Ngina Waterfront, to make it a top tourist destination, both locally and internationally.

Balala revealed that construction of the waterfront would continue even after the Mashujaa Day celebrations, with a committee formed by the Ministry of Tourism, tasked to oversee the installation of recreational and entertainment facilities as well as restaurants.

With restaurants yet to be unveiled, Balala confirmed the government would issue licences to hawkers to enable them tend to Kenyans during the historic celebrations.

Balala acknowledged the efforts made towards the construction and promised it would be completed on schedule and within the set budget.

More photos of Mama Ngina Waterfront. 

Pigeon Towers named after three communities from the area; Wakilindini, Wachangamwe and Watangana.

A section of Mama Ngina Waterfront