By Agnetta Okwemba
Mashujaa day is an annual celebration to honor the country’s heroes on 20th of October but for Kwale county which will be hosting this year’s Mashujaa, the event is more than just a celebration.
The day is set to benefit the county with several infrastructural developments taking shape and the opening of some of them on that day by president William Ruto.
Addressing the media in her office Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani noted that Mashujaa day has hastened the construction of Kwale Stadium that was being built by the county government in phases.
The national government through Sports Kenya has supported the completion of the stadium as well as the roads leading to it.
Kwale stadium which is now at 85% completion will be the venue for this year’s Mashujaa day as preparations are on high gear with the people at site working day and night.
Governor Fatuma Achani said that the event preparations for the Stadium and a state lodge is helping local business traders who are providing food, hardware operators and youths, men and women working at different sites.
“Our businesses within and out of Kwale town are doing good due to the ongoing construction work at the state lodge and Kwale stadium. It has created employment opportunity for our people” she said.
Urged Kwale locals to come out in large numbers in order to attend the event that is the first one in the area since independence.
She appreciated president William Ruto for choosing Kwale to host the national event which has brought a lot of goodies.
This year’s Mashujaa day is themed ‘Boma Yangu’ which is one of Kenya Kwanza’s Agenda to provide affordable housing to everyone across the income graph.
Governor Fatuma Achani said that Kwale town affordable houses project is going on with about 195 units set to be constructed.
Other projects in Msambweni, LungaLunga, Mabokoni and Kinango are yet to take off.
President William Ruto who in July this year launched the first phase of the affordable housing project, said that the project is part of the plan to have approximately an addition of 6,000 homes across the county.
The Kenya Security Officers led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are currently using the stadium for their Military Parade Rehearsals ahead of the D-day.
Governor Fatuma Achani has welcomed visitors across the globe for the Mashujaa day stating that the county is ready for all visitors and investors.
Kwale is rich in heritage and tourist’s places like the sandy beaches of Diani, the Maji Moto springs and the Dolphins of Wasini Island among others.
During the Mashujaa day celebration, Achani said SS ASSAD team from Msambweni will face off with Samburu lions from Kinango at the Kwale Stadium.