Ruto Announces Venue, Theme For Mashujaa Day 2023

President William Ruto on Friday, June 2 picked the venue for the Mashujaa Day celebrations, the next among three national day celebrations in the Kenyan calendar.

This year's Mashujaa Day celebrations marked every October 20 will be held in Kericho County, according to Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei in an internal memo to Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kithure Kindiki seen by Viral Tea.

The theme of the 2023 Mashujaa Day will be 'Universal Health Care', in line with President Ruto's push to ensure the country attains Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

"After consultations, this year's Mashujaa Day will be celebrated in Kericho County, on Friday 20th October, 2023. The theme of the celebrations will be "Universal Health Care".

"In this regard, please note that the Thematic Committee should start the process of designing activities leading to the launch of the UHC programme at the venue," directed Koskei.

The idea to change national holiday celebration venues to a rotational basis across different counties was started in 2016 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Initially, all national day celebrations were held in Nairobi, including President Ruto's first Mashujaa Day on October 20, 2022, at Uhuru Gardens.

Madaraka Day celebrated on June 1 and Mashujaa Day celebrated on October 20 have been hosted across different stadia in select counties, with only Nairobi left with Jamhuri Day on December 12, which marks the day Kenya attained its independence from British colonial rule in 1963.

Uhuru noted at the time that the decision was aimed at boosting national cohesion and integration.

Ruto, in his term, introduced themes in celebrating national holidays in the country and extended the period of celebrations to one week.

"Cabinet has approved national celebrations, from now on, last a week and focus on an issue that touches the aspirations and priorities of the nation. The theme of this year’s Jamhuri Day – Connect, Innovate and Inspire – will be on ICT and innovations.

"As a result, between December 6 and 8, 2022, the focus has been on exhibitions and discussions on the sector, including the presidential launch of the Innovation Outlook for Kenya, at the Sarit Centre Expo Centre in Nairobi," stated State House Press Secretary Emmanuel Talam on December 9, 2022.

For his first Jamhuri Day as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya on December 12, 2022, Ruto chose to focus on technology and innovation, compared to previous editions that have long featured parades in between entertainment and political speeches, which were commonplace in previous editions under former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other presidents.

Ruto's first Madaraka Day since taking office on September 13, 2022, was held at Moi Stadium in Embu, which was launched on May 31, 2023, following 15 weeks of refurbishment at a cost of Ksh476 million.

Moi Stadium in Embu opened by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. /MINISTRY OF INTERIOR