North Rift governors have hailed the success of this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret.
They credited President William Ruto’s 10-day tour of the region with accelerating infrastructure development and delivering projects they say will benefit residents.
The celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium, were co-hosted by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich.
The governors said hosting the national event had showcased the region’s capacity to stage major national functions.
They added that preparations had accelerated infrastructure improvements in Eldoret, Iten and Kapsabet.
“We thank the President for giving us a chance to host this event in our Eldoret city because it enabled us to showcase our ability to host other major events within the region in the near future,” Sang said.
Rotich said the three towns had benefited from road upgrades and other projects implemented ahead of the celebrations.
“Our towns are no longer the same because the President delivered many projects that will for long benefit the region,” he said.
During his regional tour, Ruto also commissioned projects across Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Baringo counties.
Sang said the projects demonstrated the President’s commitment to fulfilling his development pledges.
“The projects are a clear testament that Ruto has delivered on his pledges in this region and other parts of the country,” he said.
In his address during the celebrations, Bii said the North Rift’s role in hosting Mashujaa Day offered an opportunity to recognise the region’s contribution to Kenya’s history, food security and sporting excellence.
He cited Uasin Gishu’s agricultural heritage, Nandi’s association with freedom fighter Koitalel Arap Samoei, and Elgeyo-Marakwet’s spectacular Kerio Valley landscape.
Bii said the occasion was also an opportunity to honour freedom fighters, sportsmen and women, and farmers whose sacrifices had helped secure the country’s independence, raise Kenya’s international profile and protect the country from hunger.
He said their legacy should inspire current generations to build a peaceful and united nation.
On security, Bii commended the national government’s interventions in Kerio Valley, saying they had helped restore calm and revive economic activity.
“Our responsibility begins with security. We appreciate President Ruto’s administration’s interventions in the Kerio Valley, which have helped restore calm. Today, the guns have fallen silent, a vibrant economy has taken off, and we feel the effects in our markets as we receive abundant produce from the valley,” he said.
The governor also praised Ruto’s investment in sports infrastructure, citing the completion of Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret and investments in Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo-Marakwet and Kipkeino Stadium in Nandi.
Bii said the facilities would help nurture talent, create employment and boost sports tourism as Kenya prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
He said the region’s sporting achievements had earned Kenya international recognition over the years.
Bii also highlighted the three counties’ agricultural contributions, describing Uasin Gishu as a major grain producer, Nandi as a leading tea-growing area and Elgeyo-Marakwet as a county with significant agricultural potential.
“We appreciate your subsidised fertiliser and seed programmes, which help lower input costs and cushion farmers against unpredictable weather,” he said.
The governor said the three counties had a combined Gross County Product of approximately Sh768.6 billion, underscoring their contribution to the national economy.
