Security has been strengthened in Eldoret city and its environs ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations tomorrow.
Officials on Saturday announced that all preparations were complete for the national event.
Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet will co-host the event at the Kipchoge Stadium with security teams from the three counties deployed for heightened security.
Diplomats and some foreign guests begun arriving in the city as police were also deployed at major hotels to ensure safety for guests.
However, Uasin Gishu MCAs led by Francis Muya (Langas) have protested over an alleged failure to complete a street lighting project that was to be done before Mashujaa Day.
Over 3,000 lights were to be installed in all parts in the city but Muya said less than 200 were provided meaning most areas remain in darkness.
“We are asking why this initiative failed yet it was one of the deliverables promised by the Mashujaa Day organising committee," Muya said.
He said wherever the president had gone for such national events all promised projects are usually delivered and that Eldoret should not be different
Sports CS Salim Mvurya on Friday inspected construction work at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium and said it was ready to host the Mashujaa Day celebrations on Tuesday.
Mvurya said he was satisfied with the quality of work at the stadium and that it would be more than 85 percent complete by Sunday just two days before the ceremony.
“We have done good progress and we are ready to host the ceremony after which the remaining work will be completed,"he said.
Contractors were completing the roof on the main dais where guests will occupy and seats have also been fitted in parts of the stadium which has a capacity of 15,000.
Mvurya said the stadium is one of more than 35 stadia under construction across the country ahead of next year’s AFCON games and the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
“President Ruto is achieving his vision for the sports sector and that will impact directly on the lives of youth in the country," Mvurya said.
The Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret will showcase Ruto’s development record according to Interior PS Raymond Omollo.
Omollo who also visited the stadium cited improved security in the North Rift, investments in sports infrastructure, and a stabilising economy as evidence of progress.
He said no part of the country had been left out of Ruto’s development agenda, arguing the economy was performing better than it was when the administration took over power four years ago.
The celebrations will focus on security, sports and finance — three sectors the PS said had undergone significant changes under the current administration.
However, as the national event provides a platform for the government to highlight its achievements, the claims will also invite scrutiny over the extent to which these changes have translated into lasting improvements in people’s daily lives.
On security, Omollo said the government had made progress in restoring peace in parts of the North Rift that have endured years of banditry and insecurity, particularly in the Kerio Valley.
He said security agencies had recovered more than 3,000 illegal firearms in areas affected by banditry, allowing residents to resume economic activities with fewer disruptions.
“We now have all schools operating in areas that were affected by banditry, and that has helped to revive many other economic programmes,” Omollo said.
The reopening of schools and the resumption of economic activity serve as key indicators of improved security in communities previously affected by violence.
However, the durability of those gains will depend on whether residents can continue attending school, farming, trading and moving freely without renewed attacks.
Omollo also pointed to ongoing reforms in the security sector, including salary increases for officers.
He said the lowest-paid officers had received increases of more than 40 per cent over the past three years, presenting the pay rise as part of the administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of security personnel.
"With all these achievements, we have reason to celebrate, and that is why we are using Mashujaa Day to showcase them,” the PS said.
Sports infrastructure will form another pillar of the celebrations, with the government highlighting the development of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet and Kipchoge Stadium in Kapsabet.
Omollo said the projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to investing in sports facilities in the region and across the country.
