The Nairobi Regional Commissioner, Gilbert Kitiyo, has revealed major challenges in planning key national events, including the upcoming Jamhuri Celebrations in Nairobi, citing low turnouts.

Kitiyo, who was speaking during an interview with a local media house on Thursday, December 11, 2025, explained that while the government is ready for the 62nd Jamhuri Day national celebrations, the biggest hurdle remains mobilizing Nairobi residents to attend the national event in large numbers.

“Nairobi has the necessary capacity for preparedness and is always ready to host the event. The main challenge is usually mobilizing people to attend the occasion,” Gilbert said.

He went on, adding that the military is always ready to offer great security and that measures have been put in place to ensure that all estates, routes leading to Nyayo Stadium, and the stadium itself remain safe.

On his part, the security measures include strong crowd-control systems.

“The military is always ready, and generally, we do not experience major difficulties. Several security measures have been put in place to ensure that all estates, routes leading to Nyayo Stadium, and the stadium itself remain safe. These measures include strong crowd-control systems,” Gilbert said.

Tourism-focused Jamhuri Day

This comes just days after the Ministry of Interior confirmed that Friday, December 12, 2025, the 62nd Jamhuri Day national celebrations will be held at Nyayo Stadium, following the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) full-dress rehearsal on Monday.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who attended the Chief of Defence Forces’ (CDF) final run-through, said preparations are now in their final stages ahead of the December 12 event.

“Today, I attended the CDF rehearsal ahead of this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, scheduled for Friday and set to be hosted at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi,” Omollo said.

The venue marks a shift from the government’s earlier announcement that the celebrations would take place at Talanta Sports City, which remains under construction.

This year’s Jamhuri Day adopts the government’s new model of themed national holidays, with the 2025 theme focusing on Tourism, Wildlife, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano indicated that President William Ruto will announce major new tourism policies during his national address, signaling a renewed push to reposition Kenya as a global tourism powerhouse.

“These announcements will anchor the next phase of transforming Kenya’s tourism sector,” Miano said during a partners’ breakfast ahead of the Kenya Tourism, Wildlife, and MICE Week.

She declined to share details, noting that specifics will be revealed by the president on Jamhuri Day.