Eldoret on High Alert as Regional Commissioner Issues Stern Warning Ahead of Mashujaa Day
“Do not dare,” Dr Hassan warned, urging anyone contemplating criminal activity to abandon such plans before facing the full force of the law.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan in a past address.
By James Gitaka | HubzMedia
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan has warned that anyone attempting to exploit the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations to commit crimes will face firm legal action, as security agencies intensify preparations ahead of Tuesday’s national event at Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
Dr Hassan said comprehensive security, crowd-control and traffic-management measures had been activated across Eldoret to safeguard President William Ruto, invited dignitaries, residents and thousands of visitors expected to attend the celebrations.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, the Regional Commissioner said additional security personnel had been deployed to strategic locations, including the stadium, designated parking areas, hotels, accommodation facilities and other critical installations likely to attract large numbers of people.
He warned that the government would not tolerate criminal activities, threats to public safety or attempts to disrupt the national celebrations.
“Do not dare,” Dr Hassan warned, urging anyone contemplating criminal activity to abandon such plans before facing the full force of the law.
He said security agencies had strengthened coordination, intensified patrols and identified potential security hotspots to facilitate rapid responses to incidents before, during and after the event.
The government has also made arrangements to seek additional police officers from neighbouring counties to reinforce the teams already deployed in Uasin Gishu, according to the Regional Commissioner.
The enhanced deployment is intended to protect lives and property while ensuring that residents and visitors can participate in the celebrations in a peaceful and orderly environment.
National security data underscores importance of vigilance
The heightened security preparations come against the backdrop of national crime statistics showing that several categories of reported offences declined in 2025, although public safety remains a priority for law enforcement agencies.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ Economic Survey 2026, reported robbery cases declined from 3,642 in 2024 to 3,261 in 2025, a reduction of approximately 10.5 per cent. Reported homicide cases also fell from 3,015 to 2,711 over the same period, representing a decline of about 10.1 per cent.
The figures cover reported crimes nationally and should not be interpreted as statistics for Eldoret or as a direct measure of security risks during Mashujaa Day.
Nevertheless, the data provides a broader national context for the government’s emphasis on crime prevention, public safety and effective law enforcement during major public gatherings.
Dr Hassan said security operations would continue throughout the celebrations, with officers deployed to protect the venue, manage crowds and secure locations expected to experience increased activity.
He called on residents and visitors to remain vigilant, cooperate with security personnel and report suspicious activities through the appropriate channels.
Traffic diversions announced as visitors stream into Eldoret
Alongside the security deployment, the government has introduced traffic-management measures to accommodate the anticipated increase in vehicles entering Eldoret for the national celebrations.
Dr Hassan urged motorists to plan their journeys in advance and use designated alternative routes to minimise congestion around the city and roads leading to Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
The recommended routes include the Southern Bypass and diversions through Kapsaret, Rivertex, Kipkaren, West Indies and Jerusalem.
Traffic signs have been installed along designated routes, while traffic police officers will be stationed at diversion points to guide motorists and regulate the movement of vehicles.
Motorists have been advised to obey road signs, follow instructions from traffic officers and avoid unnecessary stops along routes earmarked for traffic management.
The Regional Commissioner said public cooperation would be essential in preventing gridlock and ensuring that emergency and official vehicles can move without unnecessary delays.
Several parking areas have also been designated for visitors attending the celebrations.
These include Eldoret GK Primary and Secondary Schools, the GK Affordable Housing site, Dolla Parking, Moi Girls, Railway City Parking Areas 1 and 2, Queen of Angels School and Eldoret Police Lines.
The parking arrangements are intended to reduce roadside parking, improve access to the stadium and facilitate the orderly movement of participants before and after the event.
Motorists were urged to use only the designated parking facilities and follow directions from officers stationed at the respective locations.
Stadium access and crowd-control measures
Security and access arrangements at Kipchoge Keino Stadium have also been structured to facilitate the orderly movement of invited guests and other participants.
According to the arrangements outlined by Dr Hassan, invited guests from Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi counties will occupy the southern section of the stadium, while guests from Uasin Gishu County will be accommodated in the northern section.
National Government Administration Officers and National Youth Service personnel will assist in directing participants, particularly during the ceremonial march-past and the subsequent movement of guests out of the venue.
Uniformed police officers, plainclothes security personnel and traffic officers will be deployed to secure the stadium surroundings, parking facilities and other critical installations.
The deployment is intended to strengthen surveillance, manage crowd movement and minimise the risk of disorder in areas expected to experience heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The arrangements also place emphasis on coordination among security agencies, event organisers and other participating institutions.
Dr Hassan called on attendees to follow entry instructions and cooperate with personnel responsible for security and crowd management.
He urged the public to avoid pushing, overcrowding and other conduct that could endanger participants, particularly during periods of heightened movement around the stadium.
Eldoret, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet coordinate celebrations
Eldoret will host the national celebrations on Tuesday, October 20, with Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties participating in the broader programme.
The Kenya News Agency reported earlier this month that preparations for the event included coordinated planning across the three counties, with activities planned around the national celebrations.
The regional coordination is intended to support the hosting arrangements while showcasing the region’s infrastructure, institutions and development priorities to visitors from across the country.
Mashujaa Day is one of Kenya’s three constitutionally recognised national days, alongside Madaraka Day on June 1 and Jamhuri Day on December 12. Article 9 of the Constitution of Kenya designates October 20 as Mashujaa Day and provides for national days to be public holidays.
The occasion honours individuals who have contributed to Kenya’s struggle for independence and those whose service and sacrifice continue to advance the country’s social, economic and political development.
For Eldoret and the wider North Rift region, hosting the national event also presents an opportunity to showcase local enterprises, hospitality facilities and public infrastructure to a national audience.
However, the influx of visitors is expected to place additional demands on traffic management, accommodation, public services and security coordination, making compliance with official instructions particularly important.
Regional Commissioner urges peaceful celebrations and accountability
Beyond the security arrangements, Dr Hassan urged Kenyans to use Mashujaa Day to reflect on the sacrifices of national heroes and renew their commitment to peace, unity and national development.
He called on residents of the Rift Valley region to extend hospitality to visitors travelling to Eldoret and help create a welcoming environment for the national celebrations.
The Regional Commissioner said the government remained committed to coordinating public services, maintaining law and order, promoting national cohesion and supporting the welfare of residents.
He also acknowledged the role of journalists, participating institutions and other stakeholders in informing the public and supporting preparations for the event.
Dr Hassan said the media had an important responsibility to scrutinise public projects, report on their implementation, examine the use of public resources and explain the benefits expected from government investments.
He encouraged journalists to ask relevant questions and ensure public discussions were guided by facts, transparency and accountability.
The call comes as preparations for the national event bring renewed attention to public infrastructure and development projects across the region, including roads and facilities intended to support the celebrations.
For residents and visitors, timely and accurate information about security measures, traffic diversions and access arrangements will remain essential to navigating the city during the event.
Dr Hassan concluded by urging Kenyans to celebrate responsibly, respect the law and cooperate with security officers throughout the festivities.
He wished the country a happy and peaceful Mashujaa Day 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that the national celebrations proceed without disruption.
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