Chief Justice Martha Koome, Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko and Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony are among hundreds of Kenyans awarded State Commendations by President Uhuru Kenyatta for outstanding service to the nation.
They received honours of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH)—the second of the three classes of the presidential awards called the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya.
EACC Assistant Director (Asset Recovery) Faith Mbaire was also feted, as was Nation Media Group Editor Joan Pereruan Tiampati, who received the Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) alongside 174 other individuals, among them journalists Jamila Mohamed, Citizen Television Swahili News Managing Editor; Zipporah Muthui (Senior News Producer at KBC; and Standard Group’s City Editor Roselyne Obala.
Retired Major-General Philip Wachira Kameru of the National Intelligence Service, and chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital Prof Olive Mugenda are among the recipients of the MGH award.
Under the Order of the Burning Spear, which equally has three classes, 33 people were crowned with first class: Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS). They include Public Service CAS Rachel Shebesh, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri, and Likoni MP Mishi Mboko.
Another 64 people got the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS), while 99 others were crowned with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS).
President Kenyatta further awarded 153 people with the fourth-grade Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) honours and issued a single Distinguished Conduct Order (DCO) award to Major John Kuria of the Kenya Defence Forces, posthumously.
The National Police Service benefitted from the three Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) issued to Chief Inspector Tom Mbaja, Chief Inspector Deus Ochieng, and Inspector of Police Albert Otieno. Others feted include EACC official Faith Mbaire.
Another 21 people received the Silver Star of Kenya award while 82 military officers received the HSC and 175 similar honours in the civilian division.
Also awarded by President Kenyatta is Daniel Yumbya, the CEO of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. He becomes an Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS).
Yumbya is accredited with steering the medical council at the time the Covid-19 pandemic was spreading in the country. He was key in the management of government isolation facilities.
Yumbya is the current chairman of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) membership committee doubling up as a member at large representing Africa in the influential association.
He has also been the chairman of the finance committee of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) since 2012. “I am elated and humbled. Indeed, I thank President Kenyatta for recognising my efforts,” Yumbya told the press.
