[PHOTOS] Thousands throng Wang'uru Stadium for Mashujaa Day fete

The stage is set for Kirinyaga county to host the 58th Mashujaa day celebrations.

The event is being marked at the Wang'uru stadium in Mwea and will be led by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Already thousands are already seated at the stadium awaiting President Kenyatta and his Malawian counterpart Lazarus Chakwera who is the chief guest at this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations.

In compliance with the Covid protocols, only 3,000 guests amongst them 2,000 Kenyans mostly county locals have been allowed into the stadium.

Despite the chilly weather, Kenyans thronged in their numbers filled with excitement as they made their way into the stadium.

The stadium which is holding its debut event after its completion is colourfully decorated with fabrics depicting the colours of the national flag.

Various entertainment groups could be heard belting out melodious tunes that added warmth to Kenyans seated across various terraces across the stadium.

Security has been beefed up in and out of the stadium as all guests accessing the stadium were thoroughly frisked at different gates.

He also expressed his excitement over the completion of the stadium saying it will help locals improve on their sporting activities.

Large screens have been mounted at various points in the stadium.

Most of the vehicles were denied access into the stadium and ordered to look for parking lots in other parts of the Mwea town.

This year's Mashujaa is pegged under the theme 'Nchi yangu, Jukumu langu, Mimi ni shujaa.'

Locals who spoke to the Star expressed their excitement over the celebrations saying it will remain forever etched in their minds and will have a lot to share with those that were not lucky to be issued with invitation cards.

"I'm happy that our county will be hosting guests of high repute. The nation's attention has been diverted to our county and that makes us very proud," said Harrison Kariuki.

"This is one of the mega projects that we will live to remember President Uhuru Kenyatta after his retirement because it was built thanks to his directive," Kariuki said.

"It is such an honour that he will commission the stadium through this auspicious event."

Jane Wairimu hopes that the President will give a way forward with regards to the imposed curfew.

She says the curfew has been a great impediment to her rice business.

"We want to operate for longer hours, we wish the President gifts us by way of lifting the curfew. Our businesses will prosper and we will have more profits," she said.

Elizabeth Njeri says she hopes the President will intervene by urging leaders to exercise tolerance as the country is set to be subjected to high political temperature over next year's elections.

"We need peace and it's the duty of the President as a symbol of national unity to make sure that we coexist in harmony and peace," Njeri said.

Besides the promotion of social cultures, she also said that the devolvement of national celebrations has continually opened up many interior counties through infrastructural facelifts and other development projects.

Edited by D Tarus