Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on Kenyans to exercise restraint and cooperate with security officers during Tuesday’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, saying officers are fully prepared to manage large crowds.
Speaking ahead of the national event, CS Murkomen said security personnel had been deployed to the stadium and surrounding areas to help control the crowds.
“Our security officers are well prepared, properly deployed to control the crowd and to ensure that there is adequate security, so Kenyans should feel safe attending Mashujaa Day,” Murkomen said.
In addition to the main stadium, overflow seating areas and viewing screens have been set up in other parts of Eldoret. Murkomen encouraged people to use these overflow areas rather than congregate at the stadium entrances to facilitate crowd control.
“We encourage them [the public] to arrive early, so that we start together, celebrate together, and complete the day successfully,” he said.
He urged residents of the North Rift to avoid behaviour that could trigger stampedes, citing the heightened excitement surrounding the celebrations.
“I know there is a lot of excitement in the region, so I want to ask the residents of this region to avoid any acts that could lead to a stampede,” he said.
The Mashujaa Day event will be held on Tuesday, 20 October, at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret and will be hosted by Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. The event will bring together national leaders, guests of honour and the public to celebrate Kenya’s heroes.
The stadium, which is currently being redeveloped, will accommodate approximately 15,043 people, though construction works have been prioritised ahead of the event and will continue afterwards. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei inspected the stadium on 17 October, while Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said it would be more than 85 per cent complete on 18 October.
A full rehearsal of the military and security displays was held on 13 October, with Chief of the Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri overseeing the exercise.
– By John Murunga
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