Arsenal FC wishes Kenyans a Happy Mashujaa Day

Arsenal wish Kenyans a Happy Mashujaa Day [Photo: Arsenal Facebook]

President Uhuru Kenyatta will today preside over the 11^th Mashujaa Day (Heroes’ Day) celebrations to be held at the Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.

Arsenal Football Club, through social media, has also joined in the celebrations. The club have posted a picture of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Alexander Lacazette captioned “Happy Mashujaa Day” with Kenyan flags.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae felt confident everything would be ready by Tuesday morning, keeping in mind the required health regulations on crowds during the pandemic.

“You are all welcome to Kisii, the land of matoke (bananas). Remember that this country came into being because of our heroes,” said an elated Ongwae.

Kisii will be the first county to hold a national day public gathering since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workers do last touches on the main dais at Gusii Stadium ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations which will be held in the County today. (Sammy Omingo, Standard)

“I thank the President for leading us in implementing measures which have seen the reduction in the rate of infections of COVID-19 and for honouring the pledge to hold this national event in Kisii,” said Ongwae.

Mashujaa Day celebrations have been held before in the counties of Nakuru, Kakamega, Mombasa, Nyeri, Machakos, Narok and Meru.

Interior Principal Secretary and chair to the national celebrations committee Karanja Kibicho also assured citizens infrastructural and security requirements were in place to host the event.

“We are fully prepared and all is set for the celebrations. Everything is in place. All the security arrangements are also well in place. We have been in the region for weeks trying to ensure that the infrastructure is ready. The national celebrations committee composed of my colleagues has done a great job to ensure that the day turns out to be a success,” he told press on Monday, October 19.

Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho addresses the press at Gusii Stadium on the preparedness of Mashujaa Day Celebration s which will be held in the County on 20/10/2020.(Sammy Omingo,Standard)

Only 3,000 guests (guests) will be allowed into the Stadium due to the COVID-19 health protocols.

“Therefore, as we host this national day we will ensure that we follow all COVID-19 protocols so that it cannot become a problem as we celebrate, therefore the usual hosting of crowds, usual display of kids, scouts will be missed during this year’s celebrations but we will ensure that our Mashujaa get the dignity they deserve in our celebrations,” said Kibicho, explaining why only a certain number of people in the stadium.

Kisii residents will be allowed to follow the event’s proceedings on screens mounted in strategic locations outside the stadium.

Mashujaa Day is held every October 20^th to honor people who played a part in the struggle for Kenya’s independence or contribute positively today.