Forty-six Members of Parliament — among them Sirisia MP John Waluke, Kimilili’s Didmus Barasa, and Narok Senator Ledama Olekina — have been nominated for national honours in recognition of their service to the country.
They are part of 60 individuals named by Parliament through the Parliamentary Honours Advisory Committee, which forwards its recommendations to the President for approval. The remaining nominees are senior government officials drawn from various departments.
According to the list, eleven are Senators and 35 are Members of the National Assembly. They have been nominated for honours including the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS), and the Head of State Commendation (HSC).
“These awards recognise exemplary service and contribution to the nation across different fields,” a senior parliamentary official said on Wednesday.
Among the MPs recognised are William Kamket (Tiaty), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu West) and Rarieda’s Otiende Amollo. The Senate nominees include Veronica Maina and Tabitha Mutinda.
Also featured on the honours list is Mary Wanyonyi Chebukati, Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).
In total, 48 individuals have been nominated for the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear, eight for the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), three for the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear, and one for the Head of State Commendation.
A Legacy of Recognition
Kenya’s national honours are governed by Article 132(4)(c) of the Constitution and detailed in the National Honours Act of 2013. They are conferred by the President, often during national celebrations such as Jamhuri Day, to acknowledge exceptional public service or acts of national significance.
The honours system includes several tiers. The highest is the Order of the Golden Heart, reserved for heads of state, top government officials, and individuals of extraordinary distinction. Past recipients include Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The Order of the Burning Spear, meanwhile, is traditionally awarded to distinguished public servants, professionals, and community leaders. It comprises three classes — Chief (CBS), Elder (EBS), and Moran (MBS) — recognising different levels of contribution.
Another widely known category, the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), honours those who have rendered outstanding service or displayed bravery in their duties.
Other decorations include the Distinguished Conduct Order (DCO), Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), and the President’s Commendations for both military and civilian service.
As Kenya prepares for the official investiture ceremony, the latest list reflects both continuity and contention — a mix of long-serving lawmakers, fresh political faces, and senior bureaucrats being recognised in a tradition that continues to shape the country’s culture of public honour.
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