NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County as the host of the 2026 Mashujaa Day national celebrations.
The head of state announced this after meeting a group of leaders drawn from the counties of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi at State House, Nairobi. He met the leaders on the evening of Monday, July 13, 2026.
“This evening, I hosted leaders from Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties to discuss the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations to be co-hosted by the three counties in Eldoret City,” said the president.
Taking to his official social media platforms, President Ruto said, considering the symbolism of the occasion, he urged the leaders to involve all the stakeholders in the preparation of the national event.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, who was among the leaders present during the State House event, said the celebrations, to be hosted in the ‘City of Champions’, will present a unique opportunity to showcase the identity, unity, and immense potential of the North Rift region.
“This evening, during a consultative meeting at State House with H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and fellow leaders, I conveyed our sincere appreciation for the honour bestowed upon Uasin Gishu County to host this year’s national celebrations,” said Governor Bii.
Changes in the 2026 Mashujaa Day national celebrations
Ahead of the historic occasion, Governor Bii stated that his administration looks forward to working closely with the national government and the neighbouring counties of Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet to deliver what he termed a befitting celebration that honours the remarkable men and women whose sacrifices shaped the nation.
The 2026 celebrations were first planned by the national government to take place at Iten’s Kamariny Stadium.
The Ministry of Interior and the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government did point out that the stadium’s completion timeline was delayed.
To ensure an infrastructure-ready venue, the event was moved to Eldoret City; however, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that construction of Kamariny Stadium will still be completed.
The national public holiday will now be held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium on Tuesday, October 20, featuring presidential addresses, military parades, and cultural exhibitions honouring Kenya’s heroes.
The venues for previous Mashujaa Day celebrations
Presidential speeches and the awarding of national prizes have been major features of the recent decentralised national Mashujaa Day festivities in Kenyan counties.
- 2025 (Kitui): Held at Ithookwe Showground, Kitui County. The celebrations honoured 184 national heroes, recognised for their contributions to liberation, philanthropy, sports, and entrepreneurship.
- 2024 (Kwale): Held at the Kwale Stadium in Kwale County. President William Ruto’s address heavily spotlighted the government’s Affordable Housing Programme (Boma Yangu).
- 2023 (Kericho): Hosted at the Kericho Green Stadium (now Wilson Kiprugut Stadium), this marked the first time the county hosted the national event. The theme centered on Universal Health Care (UHC) and was tied to the launch of the national health coverage initiative.
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