NAIROBI —Kenya’s forgotten heroes may soon find their place in the national spotlight, thanks to a new partnership between the National Heroes Council and the Council of Governors.
The two bodies have announced plans to roll out a nationwide program to identify and honor individuals who have made a lasting impact in their communities. From teachers and activists to freedom fighters and athletes, the initiative aims to give long-overdue recognition to those who have shaped Kenya’s story often quietly and without fanfare.
Speaking after a meeting held in Nairobi on Monday, Charles Wambia, Chief Executive of the National Heroes Council, said the plan would be carried out in all 47 counties. “This is about celebrating the people who built this country from the ground up,” he said. “Many of them are known only locally, but their contribution to Kenya’s journey is no less significant.”
The identification programme will allow county governments to nominate individuals whose work has benefited society. These could be living persons or posthumous recognitions. The process is expected to involve community participation, to ensure that the honours reflect genuine local sentiment.
Grassroots at the Centre
Ahmed Abdullahi, Chairperson of the Council of Governors and Governor of Wajir County, welcomed the collaboration. He stressed the importance of recognizing grassroots heroes not just historical figures with national fame.
“Counties are the custodians of our local stories,” Abdullahi said. “From the Mau Mau veterans in Nyeri to the health workers in Turkana, we must preserve their legacies where they lived and served.”
As part of the initiative, the two councils plan to sign a formal agreement in the coming weeks. The memorandum of understanding will also support the creation of physical monuments, the naming of streets and public spaces, and the organisation of annual hero commemorations at the county level.
Moving Beyond Nairobi
The decision to devolve hero recognition beyond Nairobi is seen as a shift in how national memory is curated. For years, honours and memorials have been concentrated in the capital, often focused on prominent political or military figures.
Critics say this has sidelined the everyday citizens who’ve made just as much impact ;educators, midwives, environmentalists and community organizers many of whom remain unknown outside their villages or towns.
“This is a chance to rewrite that imbalance,” said cultural historian Dr. Agnes Mwangi. “It gives dignity to the idea that heroism isn’t just about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s about quiet, consistent service.”
No timeline has been set for the rollout, but both the Council of Governors and the Heroes Council say groundwork will begin immediately, with county consultations expected in the next quarter.
As Kenya marks over six decades of independence, the initiative signals a growing effort to reclaim and expand the definition of heroism and ensure it is not confined to statues in city squares, but lives in the stories told across the nation.
