Kitui County is abuzz with activity as it gears up to host the 2025 Mashujaa Day national celebrations on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the newly constructed Ithookwe Stadium. The event, set to be presided over by President William Ruto, highlights significant infrastructure developments in the region, including the completion of the 10,000-seater stadium and an upgraded airstrip. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has linked these advancements to the enduring vision of devolution, a concept passionately championed by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Omollo, in a statement on Monday, October 20, 2025, noted that devolution continues to manifest through projects that foster closer ties between counties. He affirmed President Ruto's commitment to strengthening inter-county connectivity and expanding economic opportunities nationwide.

Historical and Political Context

The late Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, and was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County, is widely regarded as a key architect of devolution in Kenya. His persistent advocacy for the decentralisation of resources to grassroots levels was instrumental in entrenching devolution in the 2010 Constitution.

Odinga's death, attributed to a cardiac arrest, occurred while he was receiving medical treatment in India. His burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025, was a state funeral with full military honours, attended by President Ruto and other dignitaries.

Laws, Policy and Governance

The government's decision to rotate national celebrations across different counties, including Kitui for Mashujaa Day 2025, aligns with the broader goal of promoting national inclusion and stimulating regional development. This approach aims to ensure that significant national events contribute to the economic and infrastructural growth of various regions. PS Omollo's role involves coordinating national government functions and policies in the counties, overseeing internal security, and executing national cohesion and integration policies.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

Wiper Party leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka paid a heartfelt tribute to Raila Odinga, dedicating this year's Mashujaa Day to him. Musyoka, who was Odinga's running mate in two presidential elections, described him as a patriotic and resilient figure who defied adversity. He urged Kenyans to uphold the values Odinga championed, including justice, democracy, and national unity, and to defend the 2010 Constitution as a way of preserving his legacy.

Evidence/Data

• Mashujaa Day 2025 Venue: Ithookwe Stadium, Kitui County.
• Ithookwe Stadium Capacity: 10,000 seats.
• Ithookwe Stadium Cost: KSh 700 million.
• Kitui Airstrip Rehabilitation Cost: KSh 19 million (National Government, 2021).
• Kitui Airstrip Upgrade Cost (proposed): KSh 150 million.
• Raila Odinga's Date of Death: Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
• Raila Odinga's Burial Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Risks and Implications

The focus on Kitui for Mashujaa Day, coupled with the recent infrastructure projects, is expected to boost the local economy through increased trade and tourism. However, the long-term sustainability and maintenance of these new facilities will be crucial to ensuring lasting benefits for the county. Previous reports indicated that the Kitui Airstrip required significant reworks, including addressing potholes and overgrown bushes, to meet commercial standards. While the airstrip has been rehabilitated, a full upgrade to commercial status is not yet planned, with the Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stating in March 2024 that further funding would be sought from Parliament for such an upgrade.

Unknowns and Controversies

While the completion of the Ithookwe Stadium and the rehabilitation of the Kitui Airstrip are celebrated, the exact timeline and funding for a full upgrade of the airstrip to commercial standards remain uncertain. In March 2024, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen indicated that there were no immediate plans for such an upgrade, despite the county government having spent KSh 133 million on access roads.

Timeline and Next Steps

Mashujaa Day celebrations are scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County. The stadium and airstrip projects were completed in anticipation of this national event. The government's rotation system for national holidays suggests that other counties will host future events, continuing the trend of infrastructure development in host regions.

What to Watch

Observers will be keen to see the economic impact of hosting Mashujaa Day on Kitui County and whether the new infrastructure will attract sustained investment and tourism. The progress on the proposed commercial upgrade of the Kitui Airstrip will also be a key area to monitor, as it could significantly enhance the county's connectivity and economic potential.