The national government has frozen parallel Mashujaa Day celebrations in counties.
Through a press release dated Friday, September 24, the Ministry of the Interior under Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, stated that Kirinyaga County will be the only county allowed to host the celebrations this year.
The announcement was made by Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, who was inspecting the ongoing preparations for the celebrations in the Governor Anne Waiguru-led county.
“Kirinyaga County will be the host for this year’s Mashujaa Day. No celebrations will be held in other counties as it has always been the case. We don’t want to escalate the spread of the pandemic, and that is why we are freezing similar activities in other counties," the statement read in part.
Kibicho was speaking after inspecting ongoing works at Wanguru Stadium, the venue for the October 20th event.
In December 2015, the Jubilee administration under President Uhuru Kenyatta allowed counties to host on a rotational basis Kenya’s three National Days.
Uhuru made the announcement after hosting Governors at State House, Nairobi, for the 4th National and County Government Summit.
The three national days that were to be hosted in different counties on a rotational basis include Madaraka Day celebrated on June 1, Mashujaa Day celebrated on October 20 and Jamhuri Day celebrated on December 12.
Kirinyaga will join Nakuru, Machakos, Meru, Nyeri, Kakamega, Mombasa, Narok, and Kisii counties which have already hosted the celebrations since the announcement was made.
Kibicho, while issuing the statement, on Kirinyaga county's preparedness to host the celebrations noted that the Wanguru stadium is almost 80 per cent complete and will be delivered by October 5 alongside the County Commissioner’s residence in Kerugoya, which will double up as a State Lodge.
“We are satisfied with the progress made so far. From the brief we have received from the construction team, we have never been closer to this level of preparation ahead of national holiday. This and other infrastructure meant to facilitate this year’s event will be ready by October 5,” he stated.
Kibicho was accompanied by PSs Gordon Kihalangwa (Public Works), Prof. Paul Maringa (Infrastructure), Jerome Ochieng (ICT), Josephta Mukobe (Culture and Heritage), Esther Koimett (Broadcasting and Telecommunications), and Charles Hinga (Housing) as well as Deputy Head of Public Service, Wanyama Musiambo.
