Residents of Elgeyo Marakwet have expressed disappointment and concern following reports that this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations will be held in Uasin Gishu County instead of the historic Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet, where preparations and construction had been ongoing.

The concerns arose after Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim issued a statement during the swearing in of Uasin Gishu county public service board expressing gratitude to President William Ruto for granting the county the opportunity to host the national celebrations. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among residents of Elgeyo Marakwet, many of whom had hoped that hosting the event would fast-track the completion of the Kamariny Stadium.

For months, residents had anticipated that the national event would be held at the stadium, believing that the government’s commitment to hosting Mashujaa Day there would ensure the completion of the facility and open up new economic opportunities for the county. However, the reported transfer of the celebrations has left many questioning the future of the stalled stadium project.

Several residents who spoke to TV47 Digital described the decision as disappointing, arguing that the county has consistently supported successive governments but has continued to miss out on major national development projects. They said moving the celebrations to another county has dealt a significant blow to their expectations and raised fears that the stadium may not be completed anytime soon.

The residents noted that businesses had been looking forward to increased economic activity that would have accompanied the national event. They expected thousands of visitors, including government officials, investors, and tourists, whose presence would have boosted local hotels, transport services, restaurants, and small-scale traders.

They said the project had given them hope that Elgeyo Marakwet would finally acquire a modern sports facility capable of hosting national and international competitions while nurturing the county’s rich athletics heritage.

The residents are now calling on the national government to provide clear communication on the status of the Kamariny Stadium project and to reaffirm its commitment to completing the facility despite the change of venue for the Mashujaa Day celebrations. They urged the government not to abandon the project, saying the stadium remains an important investment that would benefit athletes, local communities, and the country’s sports sector for generations to come.

As uncertainty continues to grow, residents say they remain hopeful that the government will honour its promise to complete Kamariny Stadium and ensure that the county does not lose out on a project they consider vital to its economic and sporting future.