Mashujaa Day Tournament Countdown Begins as Sh63 Million Prize Pool Announced

The countdown to this year’s Mashujaa Day Tournament has officially begun, with Sh63 million in prize money set to be awarded from the ward level through the sub-county and county stages.

The 2026 Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament will consolidate ongoing efforts to promote peace and cohesion across the country, while creating meaningful opportunities for young people to showcase their sporting talent and compete at various levels.

The tournament is being held under the theme “Sports, Security and Finance” and will feature football, volleyball, athletics and basketball across the three co-hosting counties of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi.

The competition will commence at the ward level on September 26, with teams and athletes expected to progress through the sub-county and county stages before the regional finals in October.

The three major events will take place across the co-hosting counties. The Iten Marathon will be held in Elgeyo Marakwet on October 18, followed by the Inter-County Volleyball Finals in Nandi on October 19 and the Football Finals in Uasin Gishu on October 20.

A total of Sh63 million will be distributed across the various competitions and stages, providing an incentive for young athletes and teams while strengthening grassroots participation in sport.

The tournament is also part of broader efforts to use sports as a platform for promoting peace, cohesion and economic opportunities for young people. Organisers say the initiative seeks to connect sporting activities with wider conversations around security and financial empowerment.

In addition to the tournament, development projects are being fast-tracked across the three counties. These include the upgrading of stadiums, establishment of sports academies, improvement of the road network and expansion of electricity connections, among other projects.

The announcement was made in Eldoret during the Mashujaa Day Sporting Activities Preparation Meeting and Media Launch, chaired by Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen.

Murkomen also presided over the Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament Breakfast Launch in Eldoret, bringing together leaders and sports stakeholders from the three counties to coordinate preparations for the celebrations.

Those present included Governors Jonathan Bii, Wisley Rotich and Stephen Sang; Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea; MPs Gladys Boss Sholei, Julius Melly, Joses Lelmengit, Paul Biego, Timothy Kipchumba, Phyllis Bartoo, Maryanne Kitany, Adams Kipsanai, Julius Rutto, Janet Sitienei and Gideon Kimaiyo.

Also in attendance were County Speakers Philemon Melly, Lawi Kibire and Philip Muigei, County Commissioners Dr. Eddyson Nyale, Wilberforce Kilonzo and David Kosgei, MCAs and other leaders.

The meeting brought together governors, deputy governors, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies and sports officials, reflecting the coordinated effort required to deliver the tournament across the three counties.

According to the organisers, the ward-level competitions will provide a pathway for emerging athletes and teams to advance through the different stages and ultimately compete at the Mashujaa Day finals.

With the three major finals scheduled for October 18–20, attention now turns to the grassroots competitions as teams and athletes begin their journey towards the regional showcase.

Beyond the competition and prize money, the tournament is expected to leave a lasting legacy by strengthening community cohesion, nurturing sporting talent and supporting wider development initiatives across Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi.