Three Rift Valley Counties to Co-Host 2026 Mashujaa Day Celebrations

The government has announced that the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations will be jointly hosted by three Rift Valley counties, marking the first time the national event will be commemorated through a shared regional approach focusing on security and sports.

“The 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations will be co-hosted by 3 counties; Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi with commemorative activities taking place in Eldoret, Iten and Kapsabet under the theme ‘Security and Sports’,” Murkomen stated.

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said Uasin Gishu County will stage the main national celebrations, while commemorative activities will also be held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, and Kapsabet, Nandi County, as part of the wider national programme.

“Uasin Gishu County will host the main national celebrations,” the Interior Ministry stated.

Steering Committee Reviews Preparations for Mashujaa Day 

Preparations for the national event are already underway, with the National Celebrations Steering Committee holding a high-level meeting to assess the status of planning and coordination ahead of the October celebrations.

Also Read: Kenyans to Receive Certificates of Good Conduct Within 24 Hours as Murkomen Launches New System

“Today, the National Celebrations Steering Committee convened under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, to review progress on preparations for the celebrations,” Murkomen stated.

Mashujaa Day, celebrated annually on October 20, is one of Kenya’s national holidays and honours the country’s heroes and heroines who contributed to the struggle for independence and nation-building.

Each year, the celebrations are hosted in different parts of the country, with the government using the occasion to showcase national unity, development and regional achievements.

The 2026 edition will place special emphasis on “Security and Sports,” a theme expected to highlight Kenya’s investment in national security as well as its globally recognized sporting excellence.

Rift Valley Counties to Share Hosting Duties

According to the Ministry of Interior, the planning meeting brought together senior national and county government officials responsible for ensuring that the celebrations are successfully delivered across the three host counties.

Also Read: Murkomen Gives County Commissioners 7 Days to Recruit Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs

“The meeting brought together Governor Jonathan Bii, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, and representation from Nandi County government as well as members of the National Celebrations Steering and Technical Committee,” the Interior Ministry stated.

Governor Jonathan Bii represented Uasin Gishu County, which will host the main national event, while Governor Wisley Rotich attended on behalf of Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Nandi County was also represented during the planning session alongside members of both the National Celebrations Steering Committee and the Technical Committee.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

Interior PS Raymond Omollo. PHOTO/Omollo X.