President Uhuru Kenyatta has awarded world record marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H) afdter his exploits in the marathon field. Kipchoge was commended together with other national heroes during the commemoration of the Mashujaa Day in Mombasa on Sunday. Speaking during the event, President Uhuru Kenyatta noted that Eliud Kipchoge remains the greatest of our time, “..our duty is to emulate this enviable level of discipline and determination in our pursuit for a better Kenya for all.”
The world record holder managed to run a marathon distance under 2 hours during the INEOS159 challenge, becoming the first human to achieve that feat. Furthermore, President Kenyatta said Mashujaa Day is meant to commemorate those who contributed to Kenya’s independence and those who were vital in ensuring development goes on in post-independence Kenya, “To be a Shujaa is going beyond your call of duty, whatever your station in life, in order to make Kenya a better place for all,” he said.
He said every Kenyan should be committed to becoming a shujaa, championing the principles and values that underscore the very best of Kenya. “Be a shujaa by going out into your local community and finding ways in which you can make a difference, no matter how small it may seem to you,” he said. The national event was held at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa and several leaders attended including First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, both the national assembly and senate speaker, Chief Justice David Maraga, Cabinet Secretaries among others.
