PS Omollo: Kericho ready for 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha and Interior PS Raymond Omollo during the inspection tour. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]

From putting up Kericho Green Stadium to unveiling the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the country is gearing up for the 60^th Mashujaa Day celebrations.

Contractors have raced against time to complete a series of transformative projects in the tea-growing county.

These endeavours have witnessed remarkable progress and encompass a range of critical initiatives, including the construction of the Kericho Green Stadium, the re-carpeting of 10 kilometres of Kericho town roads, the expansion of the Kerenga airstrip, the construction of Kapketet sub-county hospital, and the preparations for the County Commissioner's residence, which will host the celebratory luncheon.

These pivotal projects are scattered across various locations within the county.

On Tuesday, Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration and Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumincha were in Kericho to oversee the work, go through the rehearsal process, witnessed the military drill and had a test of the entertainment by various groups.

Dr Omollo delivered an imperative message to the contractors and congratulated the county government of Kericho for cooperating with the national government to make the event a success.

“As you are aware the theme for the 60th Mashujaa Day is Universal Health Care. We are inviting all the residents of Kericho County and the rest of the country,” the PS said.

He revealed that part of the program will be the unveiling of the Community Health Promoter and the launch of the UHC.

Heading a delegation of the National Celebration Steering Committee to Kericho, Omollo said the event will all celebrate 150 heroes and heroines who will be part of the celebrations.

He emphasized the stadium's significance as a monumental achievement, underscoring that it had been meticulously reconstructed under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports.

“We started two months ago when there was nothing here, and now we have this facility that will host the event and other projects that the national government has initiated,” he said

The revamped stadium, strategically situated just outside Kericho town's bustling central business district, has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate a sizable audience of 10,000 spectators.

The stadium showcases a striking main pavilion complemented by ancillary structures, ensuring it stands as a fitting centrepiece for the celebrations.

CS Nakhumincha welcomed Kenyans to the event, saying the celebration will be key since the government will be unveiling the UHC.

“I have been here since Monday for the UHC expo, which is part of the events in the run-up to the national celebrations. We will unveil the 100,000 health promoters who have been fully equipped with the necessary tools to carry out their work,” she said.

Kericho joins the bandwagon of other counties to host such celebrations namely: Narok, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kakamega, Machakos, Mombasa, Kisii, Kirinyaga and Nairobi.

Kericho town's transformation extends beyond the stadium's confines, as a comprehensive plan to resurface 10 kilometres of town roads takes shape.

This infrastructure development also underscores a commitment to non-motorized transport, with dedicated walkways planned to enhance pedestrian mobility.

Further afield, approximately four kilometres from Kericho town, the formerly overgrown Kerenga airstrip, situated along the Kericho-Litein road, is undergoing a significant makeover.

The once-modest 1.2-kilometre runway has been extended to a substantial two kilometres.

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai challenged local entrepreneurs to strategically position themselves to capitalize on the event's economic opportunities.

"We have nonetheless noted that the local hotels have 700-bed capacity, and we have asked entrepreneurs outside Kericho town and even those in neighbouring counties to reserve their rooms for the guests who will be coming to celebrations,” he said.