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Preparation for the Kisii County to  host the 11^th Mashujaa Day celebrations to be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Gusii stadium on Tuesday 20 have been finalized.

Governor James Ongwae said it is all systems go as the county prepares to host the first major national event.

He says roads within Kisii town and its environs have been  tarmacked to ease movement and congestion within the town’s Central Business District ( CBD).

The Governor notes Nyatieko –Getare, Menyinkwa – Itierio, Christamariene- Menyinkwa, Nyatieko- Gesonso and Bobaracho- Menyinkwa roads have been improved and will be used as alternatives for vehicles.

Back streets and walkways have been opened up, alternative entry exit routes identified to enable matatu and boda boda operators keep off CBD owing to high traffic during the celebration.

He states the celebration, which is held rotationally has helped boost national cohesion, integration and infrastructure in hosting counties.  

Kisii County is privileged to host the seventh Mashujaa Day celebrations after Mombasa, Nakuru, Machakos, Narok, Kakamega, Nyeri and Meru and lauds the President for the gesture.

“I thank the President for giving  the county an opportunity to host the event. It is great and we cannot take it for granted,” Ongwae said.

More than 500 street lights have been installed within Kisii municipality and peri-urban area to light up the area and boost business under the 24-hour economy.

Yesterday, several church and traditional groups were practicing while painters and technicians mounted public address systems to ease communication during the Event.

The Gusii stadium has been jointly upgraded by the national and the county government and has presidential standard Very Important Persons ( VIP) pavilion and has 12 terraces which can accommodate more than 10,000 people.

Interior Principal Secretary, Dr Karanja Kibicho says military officers are on with rehearsals and construction of the mini state lodge has been completed.

The Secretary, who inspected Gusii the stadium with Ongwae said he is satisfied with the on-going preparations.

The governor said only 3000 people will be allowed into the Stadium while 8000 will be watching the celebrations at Kisii Golf Course on big mounted screens.

“We are limiting the number of people into the stadium and the Golf course to comply with the Covid 19 protocols,” Ongwae said

 He said several screens will be mounted at the bus park and other areas for members of the public to follow the Event live.

Kisii town has several two star hotels with 4,500 rooms, which have been fully booked by guests from across the county and beyond a head of the Mashujaa Day Event.  

Hotel Managers- Tom Openda, Zonic, Juma Anyonje, Dans, Isabella Lumumba, Ufanisi Resort and Kennedy Omondi said their Facilities have been booked for Monday and Tuesday.

“We have complied with Covid-19 protocols, have African and continental meals for our guests and assure them of their safety,” Anyonje told People Daily.

Openda said the management has put measures in place to ensure the visitors are safe and enjoy their stay before and after the celebrations.

Briefing the press from the Nyanza region at a Kisii hotel, the governor noted the county has data of all the hotels and has put them in its websites with their respective specifications for guests to choose.

He said the county has taken measures to curb congestion at the Central Business District and urged matata and boda operators to cooperate with law enforcers to avoid conflicts.

Jaldesa said: “We have enough officers who will ensure there is maximum security for our guests. I urge members of the public to cooperate with them to make the celebration successful.”

The Commissioner said traffic officers are prepared to ensure there is order in the town and stressed vehicles using Kisii- Keroka and Kisii- Kisumu roads will be diverted to avoid congestion in Kisii town.

Kisii county Health Executive Committee member, Sarah Omache said water points have been placed around the stadium for the visitors to wash their hands and sanitize before they enter the stadium.

“I urge visitors who enter the stadium to wear masks, keep social distance, wash and sanitize their hands to curb the spread of Covid 19.” Omache told People Daily at her office yesterday.

The CEC said law enforcers will be at the entry points at the stadium to ensure that the visitors wear masks, wash hands, sanitize and urged the latter to cooperate.