The 2025 Mashujaa Day Celebrations will be held in Homabay County at Raila Odinga Stadium, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking during the official opening of the second Homa Bay County International Investment Conference on Tuesday, Ruto noted that the county is developed enough to host a national holiday celebration.
The announcement came moments after Homabay County Governor Gladys Wanga requested that the county be allowed to host a national holiday celebration.
"Kindly consider Homa Bay as the next venue for a national holiday. We have a facility where large gatherings can take place,” Wanga requested.
"I am looking forward to next year, God willing when we come here for the celebrations that Wanga has asked. The Madaraka or Mashujaa Day Celebrations. I will be coming to see the ICT hubs that will have been built by our members of Parliament," the president said in response to the governor's request.
The president was addressing leaders attending the Homabay County International Investment Conference at Tom Mboya University including Azimio Leader Raila Odinga.
The theme for this year's conference in Homabay is 'Unlocking the Bay of Endless Potential'.
The conference, according to Governor Wanga, aims to showcase the opportunities in Homa Bay County, attract investors and create jobs for the youth in the county.
It is expected to run until February 29.
During his visit to the county, Ruto is expected to examine several active county initiatives.
Among these are the building of a fish market in Homa Bay town, the refurbishment of the piers at Kendu Bay and Homa Bay, and the construction of 110 affordable housing units.
Mashujaa Day celebrations and other national holidays follow a system implemented during the previous government, with celebrations taking place in different counties on a rotating basis.
In 2018, thousands of Kakamega locals led Kenyans in celebrating Mashujaa Day at Bukhungu Stadium.
Mombasa County hosted the 55th Mashujaa Day celebrations in 2019 under the Uhuru-led administration.
Last year, the celebrations were taken to Kericho County, where a stampede was reported and several deaths were reported.
Despite having Raila Odinga Stadium, which can accommodate more than 5,000 people, Homabay County has never held a national holiday celebration.
Raila Odinga Stadium is the county's main stadium.
It bears the name of Azimio Leader Raila Odinga and plans to increase its capacity are in the works.
