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📅 holiday

Mashujaa Day

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

— days to go

Mashujaa Day is celebrated in Kenya every October 20th. In 2026, Mashujaa Day falls on Tuesday 20 October. The holiday will be on Wednesday 20 October in 2027. It is also known as “Heroes Day,” as the Swahili word “mashujaa” means “heroes.” It was originally called “Kenyatta Day” in honour of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, but the name was changed after the 2010 constitution was adopted in an effort to expand the day’s meaning from honouring only those who took part in the independence movement from Britain to honouring all of Kenya’s heroes. While the day normally falls on October 20th, if it lands on a weekend, it is moved to the following Monday so workers still get a day off. The day’s original background was the arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and five other independence movement leaders by the British colonial government on October 20th, 1952. They were accused of holding membership in the revolutionary Mau Mau Society and are affectionately remembered as the “Kapenguria Six” based on the detainment centre where they were kept. Their arrest was considered such an important moment in the struggle for freedom from foreign rule that October 20th became a national holiday. Mashujaa Day is typically celebrated with an event at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. A military parade takes place with troops wearing colourful uniforms reminiscent of the red, black, and green on the Kenyan flag. You can witness the inspection of the honour guard, hear the president of Kenya give a speech much akin to a U.S. State of the Union Address, and watch motorcades roll by or even skydiving displays. Besides attending the official festivities in Nairobi, four other things to do in Kenya during Mashujaa Day are: The heroes of Kenya fought to protect both its people and the natural environment so that Kenya could prosper in the future as an independent African nation. Attending official Mashujaa Day celebrations in Nairobi, visiting important monuments, and touring some of Kenya’s famous wildlife are all things to do in Kenya on October 20th.

History

” It was originally called “Kenyatta Day” in honour of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, but the name was changed after the 2010 constitution was adopted in an effort to expand the day’s meaning from honouring only those who took part in the independence movement from Britain to honouring all of Kenya’s heroes. The day’s original background was the arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and five other independence movement leaders by the British colonial government on October 20th, 1952. They were accuse

How It's Celebrated

Mashujaa Day is celebrated in Kenya every October 20th. The holiday will be on Wednesday 20 October in 2027. Their arrest was considered such an important moment in the struggle for freedom from foreign rule that October 20th became a national holiday. Mashujaa Day is typically celebrated with an ev

Other Years

2026 Tue
20 Oct
2027 Wed
20 Oct
2028 Fri
20 Oct
2025 Mon
20 Oct
2024 Sun
20 Oct

Countries

🇰🇪 KE

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