• On this day in 1952, six Kenyan freedom fighters Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng Oneko, Bildad Kaggia, Fred Kubai, Kung’u Karumba, and Paul Ngei were arrested by British colonial authorities and detained in Kapenguria. Their crime? Demanding freedom for their people

Mashujaa Day 2025 is being celebrated at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, a fitting choice for a day that honors Kenya’s heroes. The name Ithookwe, drawn from the Akamba word meaning “to rest” or “to be at peace,” carries symbolic weight especially in a year marked by reflection, remembrance, and renewed calls for unity.

Before it was called Mashujaa Day, October 20 was known as Kenyatta Day a tribute to one man. But history demanded more.

On this day in 1952, six Kenyan freedom fighters Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng Oneko, Bildad Kaggia, Fred Kubai, Kung’u Karumba, and Paul Ngei were arrested by British colonial authorities and detained in Kapenguria. Their crime? Demanding freedom for their people. That moment marked a turning point in Kenya’s liberation struggle. For decades, the date honored the man who would become Kenya’s first president.

But in 2010, with the adoption of Kenya’s new Constitution, the day was transformed into Mashujaa Day a broader, more inclusive celebration of all heroes who contributed to Kenya’s independence and development. No longer just about the famous six, Mashujaa Day now honors teachers, farmers, activists, artists, soldiers, and citizens anyone whose courage and sacrifice helped shape the nation.

As Kenya marks Mashujaa Day, it is important to remember that heroism is not reserved for the few. It lives in the everyday in the quiet acts of service, resistance, and unity that often go unnoticed.

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And just like the quote, “If we all do our little bit, collectively, we will make a giant contribution,” once said by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan (1938–2018), Mashujaa Day reminds us that nation-building is a shared responsibility. It celebrates not just the famous freedom fighters, but also the unsung citizens who shape the nation through quiet courage and daily sacrifice.

In Kenya, prominent leaders have used the day to reflect on its meaning.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo shared, "On this day of reflection and pride, let us renew our commitment to nation-building and to the vision of a safe, just and united Kenya.”

Similarly, the Senate of Kenya has delivered its message: “May we continue to build a Kenya where every citizen enjoys dignity, opportunity, and peace.”

Mashujaa Day reminds Kenyans that the spirit of heroism lives on in each of us, and that the future of Kenya depends on how we choose to honor the sacrifices of those who came before.