Today the country is celebrating Mashujaa day. Mashujaa day is marked on October 20, every year. Mashujaa means Heroes in English and this is the day Kenya celebrates all its heroes from all walks of life.

The heroes in question are anyone who has done something notable to help build the country in one way or another.

Mashujaa Day was first celebrated in 1958 chiefly by activists. After the country gained its independence in 1963, the date was embedded in Kenyan law as Kenyatta Day.

Kenyatta Day was celebrated to honour the founding father of the nation the late President Jomo Kenyatta and some other freedom fighters who were instrumental in the struggle for Kenya’s independence.

When Kenya promulgated the current constitution on August 24, 2010, the name changed back to Mashujaa day from Kenyatta Day. The idea was to make this day a celebration for all heroes.

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This year’s Mashujaa day will be celebrated at Wang'uru Stadium in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.

This was made possible by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision celebrate some national holidays outside the capital city in 2015.

The three National holidays are Madaraka Day celebrated on June 1, Mashujaa Day celebrated on October 20 and Jamhuri Day celebrated on December 12.

The move was aimed at boosting national cohesion and integration.

Kirinyaga County is located in the former Central Province of Kenya. Kerugoya is the county’s capital with Wang’uru being its largest town.

Kirinyaga County borders by a tiny part, Machakos County to the North, Murang’a County to the South-West, and Nyeri County to the North-West. 

It is led by one of the only three female Governors Anne Waiguru.

Ann Waiguru. PHOTO/COURTESY

Today’s celebration will be graced by the President of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera who is the Chief guest.

Chakwera arrived in the country accompanied by Malawian First Lady Monica Chakwera and a host of other diplomats.

Leaders from the Mount Kenya Region are expected to grace the occasion. Also expected to attend the celebrations in Kirinyaga include political leaders and other notable Kenyan citizens.

Swala Nyeti reporter on the ground, says guests are already sitting at the arena as they wait for the guest of honour President Uhuru Kenyatta to preside over the ceremony.

PHOTO/COURTESY

The guests are currently being entertained by various Kenyan artists with patriotic songs, cultural dances, poems and skits.

OKA principals Musalia Mudavadi, Gideon Moi and Moses Wetangula have already arrived at the stadium.

PHOTO/COURTESY

Speaker Justin Muturi and Karanja Kibicho have also arrived at Wang'uru International Stadium for Mashujaa Day celebrations.

Other members of the public are lined up along the roadside as they wait for the President's motorcade to pass through. 

PHOTO/COURTESY

However, this year's celebration of Mashujaa Day was banned at the county levels.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Karanja Kibicho cited the increase in the number of coronavirus infections in the country as the reason for the ban.

Today’s message is likely to revolve around national cohesion and peace especially because the country is headed for an electioneering year.

A section of the public also expects the president to lift the current dusk-till-dawn curfew that was imposed as a COVID-19 containment measure.