Kenyan MPs and House staff receive State awards

Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro pins an insignia on Andrew Njoroge's coat a retired senior waiter at Parliament buildings after presenting him with President Uhuru Kenyatta's Head of State Commendation Award. Njoroge was awarded for his long dedicated service to MPs at the in-house bar in Parliament buildings in Nairobi. The event took place in Nairobi's Parliament Buildings on April 19, 2016

The speakers of Parliament yesterday formally presented presidential awards to MPs and parliamentary staff.

Speakers Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ekwee Ethuro (Senate) gave the awards to three senators, two MPs and six long-serving staff of the two Houses.

Andrew Njoroge Gicheha, who served as a "senior waiter" at the parliamentary bar for 33 years before his retirement a year ago, received his insignia for the Head of State Commendation (Civilian Division).

Also awarded for long service was Josephine Ndule Okoth, who began her career in Parliament in 1985. She was also awarded a Head of State Commendation (Civilian Division).

 Opposition MP Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), who is also the secretary general of Ford Kenya, was also awarded. He was honoured with the Chief of Burning Spear - First Class.

The senior deputy clerks of the two Houses, Michael Sialai (National Assembly) and  Consolata Munga (Senate) together with long-serving Director of Legislative Services James N. Mwangi were also awarded with the Elder of Burning Spear - Second Class.

Others who were awarded include Senate Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi, nominated senator Fatuma Dullo, Sammy Leshore (Samburu senator), Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Amina Abdalla (nominated), Mutava Musyimi (Mbeere South), Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi) and Mohamed Shidiye (Lagdera). They were all awarded the Chief of Burning Spear- First Class.

The names were submitted to the President by the parliamentary committee on national honours as nominees and the President vetted the names and then rewarded them last year on Jamhuri Day.