Security has been tightened in the larger Coast region ahead of Sunday’s 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Coast Regional
Commissioner Rhodah Onyancha, speaking during a media briefing alongside
government spokespersons and several Principal Secretaries, assured both
residents and visitors that security measures are in place.
"We have
enhanced security to ensure a smooth event, and traffic control plans are in
effect for busy roads leading to and from the region," she said.
The stadium gates
opened at 4 am, with two entrances available to the public. Attendees were
seated by 7 am, ahead of the official start of the celebrations.
More personnel
were deployed to the region to enhance security.
During the celebrations, a notable highlight will be the
presence of the Guard of Honor (GoH) commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Faith
Mwagandi, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first female senior officer to lead a GoH at a national event.
President William Ruto
said in his message they honor the courage and dedication of those who made
Kenya what it is today.
“And we look forward to a
future where affordable and decent housing is a reality for every Kenyan, a
future that our heroes would be proud of,” he said.
Kwale
County is set to mark history as it hosts the 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations
for the first time, with the newly built 10,200-seater Kwale Stadium as the
venue.
The
event, themed around affordable housing, is expected to draw thousands,
including President William Ruto, who will honour 142 heroes for their
contributions to the nation.
The day's programme will also feature the unveiling of key government initiatives under the affordable housing agenda.
During the
ceremony, 142 heroes will be recognised across 14 categories, including sports,
philanthropy, statesmanship, and indigenous cultures. Some of the heroes will
receive posthumous recognition after a thorough vetting process.
Principal
Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Ummi Bashir, the selected heroes have made
significant contributions to society, often risking their lives to benefit
their communities, with some receiving global recognition for their efforts.
Lands, Public
Works, and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome revealed that over 550,000
Kenyans have already applied for the affordable housing programme.
She said the
current housing deficit in the country, which stands at over 2 million units,
and reiterated the government's commitment to addressing the gap.
"We need to
build at least 200,000 housing units per year to tackle the shortage,"
Wahome said.
"With the
support of the National Treasury and contributions from Kenyans, we have rolled
out a robust programme. This is why we introduced the affordable housing
levy."