President William Ruto has conveyed his condolences to families of the people killed in a stampede at the Kericho Green Stadium on Friday, October 20.
In a statement, Ruto also wished the thirteen persons admitted to the Kericho Referral Hospital a speedy recovery.
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the tragedy at the Kericho Green Stadium ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations. We extend our deepest condolences and pray for the quick recovery of the injured,” the statement read.
The four people died in a stampede that ensued at the Kericho Green Stadium at around 3 am.
10 others were also admitted at the Kericho Referral Hospital where they were undergoing treatment.
Thousands arrived at the stadium to take part in the celebrations with Kenyans arriving from as early as 2 am. However, the stadium could not accommodate all people who turned up hence the stampede.
President William Ruto arrived at the Kericho Green Stadium to lead Kenyans in marking the national holiday. Ruto, who is the Chief Guest in the Mashujaa Day celebrations arrived in the company of First Lady Rachel Ruto at around 9:20 am.
After a lap of honor to greet Kenyans attending the ceremony, Ruto went on to inspect a guard of honor mounted by officers drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
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By 8 am, a host of senior government officials including cabinet secretaries had arrived at the venue. Chief Justice Martha Koome also arrived at 8:23 for the fete.
Kericho residents excited ahead of Mashujaa Day
Local residents camped at the stadium on the eve of the Mashujaa fete with many expressing their desire to participate.
Photos shared on social media platforms showed the residents dressed heavily in readiness to brave the cold weather in the stadium’s vicinity.
Launched under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, the rotational arrangement broke the tradition of hosting the national day celebrations in the Capital City to allow other parts of the country to take part.
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Previously, counties including Nyeri, Narok, Kisii, Embu and Meru got opportunities to host national celebrations.
Besides celebrating national heroes and heroines, the President will also launch the Universal Health Care Program where community health workers will be commissioned.
