List of Kenyans recognised at this year's Mashujaa Day fete

As Kenyans from all walks of life come together to celebrate heroes that liberated the country from the white man, behind the scenes, the National Heroes Council put up a list of 157 men and women to be honoured at this year's Mashujaa Day celebration.

The 157 include the heroes and heroines that fought for Kenya’s independence, and other Kenyan citizens who have been awarded for their various roles in promoting the country.

They include Kenya’s first Olympic medalist Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, who died last year aged 84.

President William Ruto on Friday, Octiber 20, renamed the Kericho Green Stadium after Kiprugut in his honour.

Other heroes include Faith Kipyegon and Kelvin Kiptum who in the last few months have both won gold medals and set new world records in different races.

The Council categorised the heroes into 14 categories including freedom fighters, spiritual leaders, peace makers and sportsmen and women who have raised the flag high.

In the freedom fighters’ category, 14 men and women were lauded for their efforts in delivering the country from the colonial master, among them include Koitalel Arap Samoei, Waiyaki wa Hinga and Moraa Ngi’ti from Kisii County.

In the sports category; Jane Ndenga, a wheelchair tennis player, Kenya’s netball team coach Dorothy Omondi, Joseph Kimathi, a sports sign language interpreter and Maurice Maina an awarding boxer join Kipyogen and others as heroes in sports.

Also recognised is KTN News reporter Levis Musumba, who through his TV programme, Culture Quest documents cultural expressions of many communities in the country.

Rev. Timothy Kipchirchir, Fariq Mohammad, Lesepe Francis and Haron Kwambati were among those recognized for their contribution in peace keeping and ethical guidance through religion.

Under the cultural values and practices category, the six awardees include Fredrick Kimeu and Hellen Tanui, among others, awarded for being instrumental in preserving and promoting cultural practices and fighting against practices that no longer serves the community such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

State men and women like retired Deputy County Commissioner Fred Onyango and Ambrose Lochokwe are among the five heroes recognized for a job well done in improving various sectors of the country and being part of different developments that are beneficial to Kenyans.

Peace keepers like Diana Chepkorir is among 11 heroes whose efforts in promoting peace in different counties were appreciated.

Other 2023 heroes include Philanthropist Fauzia Lugogo, human rights activists Cynthia Kananu, Safi Adan, Musician Paul Sang, Actor and director Raymond Wafula and environmentalist Justus Nyamu among others.