Media personality Beatrice Gatonye reflects on double pride at Mashujaa Day celebrations

Kenyan media personality Beatrice Gatonye has described moderating the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret as one of the proudest moments of her career, saying the occasion was made even more special by the posthumous recognition of her late father, Joseph Gatonye Kimani.

Gatonye was among the moderators at the national celebrations held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium on October 20, an assignment that allowed her to take centre stage in her hometown during one of Kenya’s biggest national events.

In an emotional message reflecting on the experience, Gatonye said the opportunity carried both professional and personal significance, given her roots in Eldoret and the government’s decision to honour her father for his contribution to entrepreneurship and economic development.

“Being one of the moderators at the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium will forever remain one of the proudest moments of my career,” she said.

“Hosting on the country’s biggest stage was deeply personal for two reasons: Eldoret is my home.”

She added: “My late father Joseph Gatonye Kimani was posthumously honoured as a hero by the Government of Kenya for his lifelong contributions to Entrepreneurship.”

Gatonye described her father as her greatest personal hero, saying she remained committed to preserving the legacy he left behind.

“My father remains the greatest hero I have ever known, and I am endlessly honoured to carry forward his legacy. Stepping onto that stage as a true daughter of the soil was a moment of absolute pride and gratitude,” she stated.

The recognition gave the media personality another reason to cherish the occasion, bringing together a significant professional milestone and a deeply personal tribute to a man whose work earned him national recognition.

Gatonye, who has moderated various presidential and state functions, serves as an official emcee for President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.

Her role at the Mashujaa Day celebrations further underscored her experience in handling high-profile national events, with the 2026 edition offering the added distinction of taking place in her hometown.

The 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations were held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, with President William Ruto presiding over the national event.

The annual holiday honours Kenyans whose contributions and sacrifices have helped shape the country's history and development, recognising achievements across fields including public service, business, sports and community development.

This year's celebrations placed Eldoret and the wider North Rift region in the national spotlight, showcasing a region known for its rich athletics heritage, agricultural activity and growing commercial significance.

For Gatonye, the event was particularly memorable because it allowed her to represent her hometown on a national platform while celebrating her late father's contribution to the country's economic development.

Her reflections captured the personal significance of the occasion, which went beyond the demands of moderating a major national ceremony.

Standing on stage in Eldoret, she was able to celebrate both her professional achievement and the legacy of a man she continues to regard as her greatest hero.

The government's recognition of Joseph Gatonye Kimani also served as a moment of pride for his family, acknowledging his contribution to entrepreneurship and the broader economy.

For his daughter, however, the honour was an affirmation of a legacy that had long held a special place in her life.