President William Ruto led the 2025 National Heroes Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui, posthumously awarding the late Raila Odinga the Chief of the Golden Heart of Kenya. He announced major development projects for the Ukambani region, including roads and a large dam. Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Charity Ngilu skipped the event in their home county.
The Heroes Day celebrations on October 20, 2025, at Ithookwe Stadium, built for Sh800 million in four months, followed the death of Raila Odinga, who was buried on Sunday. President Ruto, leading the event, posthumously awarded Odinga the Chief of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH), as announced in the Government Gazette. "The government and people of Kenya place the name of the Honorable Raila Odinga among our greatest heroes, in the seal of the Republic," Ruto said. The announcement praised Odinga's roles as lecturer, MP for 20 years, minister, and second Prime Minister, along with his courage in democracy and political reconciliation.
Ruto lauded Odinga for his love of Kenya, stating, "Raila loved Kenya with his whole heart, with dedication and without conditions." He recalled how Odinga sought him out during last year's protests to form a unity government. Guest Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged Kenyans to remember their heroes, naming Odinga a key figure in politics. Mozambique Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levy also attended.
For development, Ruto launched projects for Ukambani, including four major roads in Kitui and two in Machakos, plus eight modern markets across Kitui's constituencies. He promised the High Grand Falls Dam, Africa's second largest, on the Kitui-Tharaka-Nithi border. His planned five-day visit was delayed due to Odinga's death, with a return pledged in two weeks.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, influential in Ukambani, and Charity Ngilu did not attend, having gone to Odinga's funeral in Bondo and a Nyayo tribute. Musyoka is in the opposition 'Wan Tam' alliance.
