During the Mashujaa Day fete at Mombasa, President Uhuru Kenyatta took to the podium to remind Kenyans of the weight behind the moniker ‘Shujaa’ and at the same time urging Kenyans to take up that mantle and responsibility. The Head of State stated that a shujaa is committed to championing the principles, values and ideals that underscore the very best of Kenya. “To be a shujaa is to be committed to going above and beyond your call of duty, whatever your situation in life, in order to make Kenya a better place for all,” he said. All eyes were focused on marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, but there were about 200 shujaas who were honored during the Mashujaa Day fete, drawn from all over Kenya, those who went above their call of duty to make Kenya a better place.
While honoring the heroes, President Kenyatta said all heroes are honored, drawn from all professions and corners of the country, from ECDE teachers, men in uniform, scholars, researchers and many more, and although there wasn’t a queue to acknowledge all of them, as Western region and the Counties therein, we acknowledge and honor the heroes who were feted and held the region’s flag sky high.
There are famous names and titles from the region that are synonymous with fame and power, but heroes don’t necessarily carry the tags of fame and power. From Trans Nzoia County, the heroes feted were Rev. Nathan Chesang and Justina N. Siti. From Kakamega County, the heroes feted were Florence Ndenyi, Stephen Nyerere Mumia, Rosemary O. Muga, Peter O. Akwabi, Musonye M. Namusende, David Makunda and James Nandwa Nyende.
From Vihiga County, the heroes feted were Col. Rtd Laban Kamonya, Milka Kavochi Nyaligu, Josphat Odanga Sozi, Mary Khabele, Joab Maube Osiako and Rachel B. Muchilwa. From Bungoma County, the heroes are William Wanyonyi Masafu, Ruth Awino, Herman Kesekeli Kasili and Alfred Likhanya Imonje. From Busia, the shujaas are Prof. Etyang Martin Nyongesa and Hellen Ajiambo Mukanda. As Western Kenya, we salute these heroes and heroines who’ve made a difference in their localities and in their own ways to warrant the nation’s recognition.