Only 2,000 people will be allowed into the Wanguru Stadium in Kirinyaga during this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The move is to avoid a huge gathering that could likely fuel the spread of Covid-19. Wanguru Stadium in Mwea has a capacity of 10,000 people.
Interior PS Karanja Kibicho on Monday said counties will not be permitted to conduct local Mashujaa Day celebrations.
He said there will be only one national celebration due to Covid-19, which continues to have devastating health effects.
"Covid is still here with us, and in a bid to reduce the infection rate, we have to adhere to all government protocols. As a result, a majority of Kenyans will follow the live proceedings through various broadcast mediums from the comfort of their homes," Kibicho said.
He was addressing a meeting at Kianyaga Stadium in Gichugu that comprised various county leaders, boda boda riders and county residents.
He told the groups to choose, from amongst themselves, the individuals to represent them during the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Kibicho, who is also the chairman of the National Celebrations Committee, hailed the county leaders for agreeing to maintain peace and control their supporters so as to pull through a successful fete.
He disclosed that the idea to unite the leaders was informed by government intelligence of plans to forestall chaos during the national celebrations.
"While we cannot ignore that we are at the onset of a political season, we don't want to convert the national celebrations into a political competition. We don't want supporters of different political contenders shouting down one another," Kibicho said.
The PS emphasised that as a civil servant, he was not interested in any political seat in the county, but was only concerned with undertaking his duties.
Kibicho, who also hails from the county, said the Mashujaa celebrations would also present an opportunity for the leaders to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta and present their development projects through a memorandum.
He said county leaders will make visits in all the four subcounties before October 20. The aim of the visit is to preach peace to the county residents and list some of the ongoing and proposed development projects in their respective constituencies.
The projects will be presented to the Head of State.
Infrastructure PS Paul Maringa said over Sh370 million worth of projects are currently being undertaken by the national government in the county.
He said the government had so far used over Sh30 billion in completing both water and road projects across the county.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici urged the government to recognise the forgotten county heroes who fought for the independence of the country, as well other unsung great men and women currently contributing to the well-being of the nation.
“We have the likes of General Kassam and General Chui who have never been honoured for their great role in fighting for the freedom we currently enjoy. We want them recognised and their families taken care of.”
Gichugu MP Gichimu Githinji hailed the government for allocating funds and assigning a contractor to a major road that links all the wards in his constituency.
He also called for the upgrade of General Kassam Stadium and the overall improvement of coffee farming in the area.
edited by Amol Awuor
