OCTOBER 20, 2024 — Today, thousands of Kenyans gathered at Kenya’s Kwale Stadium on Sunday for this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, a national holiday dedicated to honoring those who contributed to Kenya’s independence, reports NTV Kenya.
KBC Channel 1 reports that students wore green, red, and white shirts and were seated to resemble the Kenyan flag. Many attendees also dressed in the flag’s colors.
The name “Mashujaa” means heroes in Swahili, making this day also known as Heroes’ Day.
Originally known as Kenyatta Day, the holiday was named after Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first Prime Minister and later President. However, following the adoption of a new constitution in 2010, the holiday was renamed Mashujaa Day to broaden its scope and recognize all Kenyans who played a role in the struggle for independence, according to Epsilon Publishing.
Kwale County was chosen to host the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations, with the theme focusing on “Affordable Housing,” an important national priority.
A historic moment unfolded during the event when Lieutenant Colonel Faith Mwagandi became the first female officer to command the guard of honor, a significant milestone in the country’s military history.
However, the event was not without political tension. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was recently impeached, revealed that there were efforts to block his participation in the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kwale Stadium, reports The Eastleigh Voice.
Image: KBC Channel 1