President William Ruto has called on Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to use this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations to showcase regional unity and collaborative development as they prepare to jointly host the national event for the first time.
Speaking during a church service at ACK St Stephen's Chepkoilel in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, the President said the three North Rift counties had a unique opportunity to demonstrate how neighbouring counties can work together for the benefit of their residents and the country.
"We have agreed to host Mashujaa Day here. I ask the counties of Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Uasin Gishu to work together so that we can host the event in Eldoret as a joint effort between the three counties. We want to welcome Kenyans from across the country and show them that Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet are making progress. Let us show others what unity looks like because we are one people, one nation," Ruto said.
For the first time in Kenya's history, the Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20, 2026, will be jointly co-hosted by Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties. The main national event will be held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret City, while complementary activities will take place across the neighbouring counties.
Ruto said the neighbouring counties share deep historical and cultural ties, adding that stronger regional cooperation would accelerate development and promote national cohesion.
The President also defended the proposed Vision 2060 development blueprint, saying Kenya required a new long-term strategy to succeed Vision 2030 and align with the governance framework established under the 2010 Constitution.
He argued that Vision 2030 was formulated before the promulgation of the current Constitution and that a fresh blueprint was necessary to guide the country's next phase of economic and social transformation.
Ruto announced that nationwide public consultations on Vision 2060 will begin on August 12, inviting Kenyans from all sectors to contribute ideas that will shape the country's long-term development agenda.
On healthcare, the President urged citizens to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying comprehensive registration would help improve planning and service delivery. He added that the government had allocated an additional Sh19 billion for medicines in the 2026/27 financial year to boost the supply of essential drugs in public health facilities.
He also assured farmers of continued government support ahead of the short rains, pledging measures to lower the cost of fertiliser and certified seeds to increase agricultural productivity.