Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday met leaders from West Pokot, Trans Nzoia and Baringo counties as preparations for this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations intensify.
The three counties will jointly host the national celebrations on October 20, 2026, with President William Ruto expected to visit the region for a development tour ahead of the event.
Murkomen held a consultative meeting with leaders from the three counties to discuss preparations for the President’s visit and the upcoming national celebrations.
“The Kenya Kwanza Administration is implementing inclusive and transformative infrastructure projects across the country. This afternoon, I held a consultative meeting with leaders from West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, and Baringo counties ahead of President William Ruto’s development visit to the counties as we gear up for the Mashujaa Day celebrations,” Murkomen said.
Among those who attended the meeting were Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo, Executive Office of the President Deputy Chief of Staff Josphat Nanok, Deputy Governors Philomena Kapkory and Robert Komolle, and Senators Allan Chesang and Julius Murgor.
Members of Parliament present included Dr Robert Pukose (Endebes), Jackson Kosgei (nominated, Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Lilian Siyoi (Trans Nzoia), Rael Kasiwai (West Pokot), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Florence Jematiah (Baringo), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Joseph Makilap (Baringo North) William Kamket (Tiaty) and Peter Lochakapong (Sigor).
The hosting of Mashujaa Day in the three counties is part of the government’s policy of rotating national celebrations across the country.
In 2015, the Government adopted a policy to move national holiday celebrations beyond Nairobi as part of efforts to promote national unity and stimulate development and infrastructure investment across counties.
Nakuru hosted the first major national celebration outside Nairobi when it hosted Madaraka Day in 2016, followed by Machakos, which hosted Mashujaa Day later that year.
Other counties that have hosted national celebrations include Nyeri, Meru, Narok, Mombasa, Kisii, Kisumu, Embu, Kericho, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kitui, Kwale, Vihiga, Wajir, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kiambu and Marsabit.
Vihiga hosted Labour Day celebrations in 2026, while Wajir hosted Madaraka Day. Trans Nzoia hosted Mazingira Day, Elgeyo-Marakwet hosted Mashujaa Day, Kiambu hosted Jamhuri Day, and Marsabit hosted Minorities Day.
The rotation has enabled different regions to showcase their cultural heritage while attracting national attention to local development priorities.
This year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in West Pokot, Trans Nzoia and Baringo are therefore expected to combine national festivities with a focus on development projects in the three counties.
