Government Confirms Mashujaa Day Celebrations to Proceed as Planned 

Urban Shihemi , October 19, 2025 

The Government has confirmed that this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations will proceed as scheduled on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, even as the nation continues to mourn the passing of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga.

In a statement released ahead of the national holiday, the Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura described Raila Odinga as “a great hero and statesman whose indomitable spirit shaped our nation’s journey.” The late opposition leader and veteran politician will be laid to rest today at his home in Bondo, Siaya County.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement read. “In the shadow of this loss, the Government affirms with unwavering resolve that Mashujaa Day, our sacred celebration of Kenya’s heroes, will proceed as planned.”

Mashujaa Day, established under the Public Holidays Act and enshrined in Article 9(3) of the Constitution of Kenya (2010), is one of the country’s most significant national holidays, commemorating those who fought for and contributed to Kenya’s freedom and progress.

While key peripheral events such as Energy Week and the Media Breakfast have been postponed in line with President William  Ruto’s directive to allow space for national reflection and mourning, the main celebrations in Kitui will go on in full honor of our heroes, past and present.

The statement called on all Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to celebrate the legacy of Raila Odinga and the spirit of Kenya’s heroes.

“Let us come together as one people to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga and all our mashujaa,” it read. “On this day, let us not only mourn but rise in the spirit of harambee, honoring our fallen hero by recommitting to the dream of a stronger, united Kenya.”

Mashujaa Day, also known as Heroes’ Day, is a national day which is observed on 20 October as a public holiday to collectively honour all those who contributed towards the struggle for Kenya’s independence or positively contributed in the post independence Kenya.