This year’s Mashujaa Day will carry the theme “BomaYangu,” as announced by the Presidential Committee on National Holiday Thematic Celebrations. Dennis Itumbi, the committee chairperson, shared this information following a meeting with officials organizing the event, which will take place in Kwale.
Itumbi explained that the theme was chosen to showcase the success of the Affordable Housing program. This initiative, part of the Kenya Kwanza agenda, has not only fostered economic growth but also provided stable housing for many Kenyans. Itumbi noted that the program has “created jobs, boosted the Jua Kali sector, and led to the construction of numerous homes across the country.”
President William Ruto aims to construct 250,000 housing units annually to provide decent housing for low and middle-income earners. Several housing projects are underway in different regions of the country.
Initially, the government planned to build 500,000 units in five years in cities and metropolitan areas nationwide. A mandatory levy on all salaried workers has been introduced to support this ambitious project.
In Nairobi, projects are ongoing in areas such as Pangani, Kibera, South B, Ngara, Shauri Moyo, and Mariguini. To purchase a unit, individuals must register on the Boma Yangu platform, open an account to contribute to the housing fund, and select their preferred home.
Mashujaa Day, formerly known as Kenyatta Day, is celebrated annually on October 20 to honor national heroes and their contributions. The tradition of rotating the celebrations to different locations was established by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016.
Out of the three national events—Madaraka Day (June 1), Mashujaa Day (October 20), and Jamhuri Day (December 12)—two are held outside Nairobi to promote national cohesion and integration.
President William Ruto has announced that Homa Bay will host next year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations. The previous year’s celebration in Kericho had the theme Universal Health Care (UHC).
