Nine CSs, 11 governors feted with State honours

President William Ruto during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on December 12, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Nine Cabinet Secretaries and 11 governors are among more than 900 individuals who were awarded State commendations by President William Ruto during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations on Tuesday, December 12.

The CSs Davis Chirchir (Energy), Peninah Malonza (EAC), Ezekiel Machogu (Education), and Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) were conferred the status of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) for their distinguished and outstanding services to the nation.

Other CSs who were feted with the EGH award include Soipan Tuya (Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry), Zachariah Njeru (Water and Sanitation), Eliud Owalo (ICT), Rebecca Miano (Trade and Investment), and Susan Nakhumicha (Health).

Governors who received the EGH award were Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Abdi Ibrahim (Isiolo), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir) and Mohamud Mohamed Ali (Marsabit).

Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei were also conferred the EGH award.

Others who were decorated with the highest State honour were Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, and the majority and minority leaders of the National Assembly, Kimani Ichungwa and Opiyo Wandayi, respectively.

President Ruto also feted Faith Kipyegon with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) award for her exemplary performance in athletics.

Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Twalib Mbarak and National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji were among the eight individuals who received the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) award.

Deputy of the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Amin Mohamed Ibrahim were feted with the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) award.

State officials who received the CBS honour include PSs Raymond Omollo (Interior) and Nixon Korir (Lands), Commissioner of Prisons John Kibaso, Archbishop Harrison Ng’ang’a and Chairperson of Salaries and Remuneration Commission Lyn Mengich.