Kamukunji marks Mashujaa Day with tributes to Raila amid calls for unity

Kamukunji Deputy County Commissioner Frederick Muli speaks during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kamukunji Vocational Training Centre on October 20, 2025. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

By Abdirahman Khalif
Monday, October 20, 2025

The event was presided over by Deputy County Commissioner Frederick Muli and attended by local chiefs, assistant chiefs, ward administrators, and other subcounty leaders.

Kamukunji Subcounty held its Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kamukunji Technical and Vocational College in Airbase Ward in an event focused on unity, development, and environmental conservation.

The ceremony was held amid national mourning following the passing of fomer Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose influence and contribution to Kenya’s democratic journey were celebrated throughout the occasion.

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The event, presided over by Deputy County Commissioner Frederick Muli, was attended by local chiefs, their assistant chiefs, ward administrators, and other sub-county leaders.

Students from various schools, both private and public, performed songs, dances, and poems that celebrated national heroes and emphasized the importance of peace and togetherness.

Mashujaa Day, marked every October 20, honors the men and women who fought for Kenya’s freedom and contributed to nation building. The day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who stood up for justice, equality, and self-determination.

After reading President William Ruto’s national Mashujaa Day speech, Muli thanked all attendees and urged them to observe a moment of prayer for the late Raila Odinga.

Muli said that Raila had played a key role in shaping Kenya’s democratic and political landscape, and his contribution would continue to inspire future generations.

He addressed several local issues affecting Kamukunji Subcounty, particularly Eastleigh and surrounding areas. He highlighted growing insecurity in some parts of the subcounty, pointing to Jam Street, officially known as Athumani Kipanga Street, as a hotspot.

A section of school pupils who graced Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kamukunji Vocational Training Centre on October 20, 2025. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

The Deputy County Commissioner noted that taxi operators often block roads, some of whom are armed with knives, creating a security risk.

“Jam Street has become a concern because people park their cars on the road and many are armed with knives,” Muli said. “We must have order. We cannot have a developed country in a chaotic environment.”

He urged the police and local administration to work closely with residents to restore security and ensure the area remains safe for business and movement.

Muli also called on residents to embrace environmental conservation through tree planting, noting that the government aims to achieve a national target of 1.5 billion trees by 2035.

He said all local chiefs have been provided with seedlings, and any resident willing to plant trees can collect them from the chiefs’ offices.

On transport regulation, he urged boda boda operators within Kamukunji to register in recognized savings and credit cooperatives (saccos) and adopt uniforms. He said this would help authorities identify them and ensure accountability in their operations.

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During the national speech read on behalf of Ruto by Muli, the President emphasised that Kenya’s transformation into a prosperous and developed nation will depend on courageous and visionary leadership.

Ruto said this kind of leadership must be inspired by the late Raila Odinga’s lifelong ideals of service, sacrifice, and commitment to national progress.

He reflected on past conversations with Odinga, recalling how the late leader often questioned why Kenya had lagged behind countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, which were once on the same economic level. The President said the answer lay in leadership that plans for future generations rather than short-term political gains.

“We both agreed that true leadership is about shaping the future, not chasing short-term gains,” Ruto’s speech read. He added that development requires leaders willing to take bold steps and make decisions promoting long-term stability and growth.

Kamukunji residents follow Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kamukunji Vocational Training Centre on October 20, 2025. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

On industrialization, Ruto said Kenya must shift from exporting raw materials to producing and exporting finished goods.

He outlined government plans under the Africa Growth and Industrialisation Initiative, implemented with the African Export-Import Bank, to establish Special Economic Zones in Vipingo, Dongo Kundu, and Naivasha. These zones are expected to promote manufacturing and create employment opportunities.

The President also mentioned the ongoing development of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks across all 47 counties. These facilities are designed to connect farmers and small-scale producers with processors and markets, ensuring local products gain value before export.

“Everything produced in Kenya must be processed here, from tea and coffee to cotton and hides,” the President said. He added that strengthening local industries would help Kenya achieve sustainable economic growth.

Ruto said the government’s manufacturing agenda depends on affordable and reliable energy. Plans are in place to increase power generation from 2,300 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts within the next decade.

He noted that Raila Odinga had been an advocate for energy diversification through geothermal, solar, wind, and hydro power during his tenure as Minister for Energy.

The Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kamukunji concluded with a call for unity, patriotism, and service to the nation. Leaders and residents pledged to continue building a peaceful, clean, and prosperous subcounty as part of honoring the spirit of Kenya’s heroes.