President William Ruto has called for a more inclusive and prosperous Kenya, saying the ideals of equality, dignity and shared opportunity that inspired the country’s freedom fighters should continue guiding national development.
Ruto made the remarks on Tuesday, October 20, while presiding over the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County.
In a statement shared on his official X account, the President said the annual celebrations provided an opportunity for Kenyans to reflect on the sacrifices made by heroes and heroines during the struggle for independence and the responsibility of preserving their legacy.
“As we honour the heroes and heroines who fought for our independence, we are reminded of the ideals of equality, dignity and shared opportunity for which they sacrificed,” Ruto said.
The Head of State linked the principles that inspired the independence struggle to the country’s present development ambitions, arguing that they remain relevant in efforts to build a society where more Kenyans can access opportunities and participate in economic growth.
Ruto said the ideals of equality and dignity should remain central to the pursuit of national prosperity, placing inclusion and shared opportunities at the heart of the country’s development agenda.
The President’s remarks came as Kenyans gathered in Eldoret to mark Mashujaa Day, a national holiday observed every October 20 to recognise individuals who contributed to the country’s liberation and those whose service continues to shape its development.
The celebrations also provide an opportunity for national leaders to reflect on the country’s progress since independence and the challenges that remain in translating the aspirations of the freedom struggle into better living standards for citizens.
Ruto said the ultimate responsibility of the current generation was to advance the values for which Kenya’s heroes and heroines sacrificed, while building a more inclusive and prosperous nation for future generations.
