Isiolo women receive Head of State Commendation awards
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding with Ms Lucy Mworia (left) and Ms Halima Dida whom President Uhuru Kenyatta honoured with a Head of State Commendation.
What you need to know:
- Two Isiolo women who were honoured by President Uhuru Kenyatta during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations have received their awards.
- Lucy Mworia and Halima Dida were among the 220 Kenyans recognized by the President in Kirinyaga, as national heroes and heroines on October 20.
Two Isiolo women who were honoured by President Uhuru Kenyatta during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations have finally received their awards.
Lucy Mworia and Halima Dida were among the 220 Kenyans recognized by the President in Kirinyaga, as national heroes and heroines on October 20.
While issuing them with the coveted Head of State Commendation (HSC) awards in Isiolo town, County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding recognised their outstanding service and immense contribution in promotion of peace in the county.
Ms Mworia was honoured for spearheading peace building initiatives in the county and championing for girl child education. Ms Dida, on the other hand, was recognised for her robust fight against violent extremism that has affected many youths and families in Isiolo.
Grassroots initiatives
“Cases of young people joining terror groups have drastically reduced, the number of girls in school has increased and peaceful coexistence among communities have been enhanced due to the efforts made by the two,” Mr Omoding said during the awarding ceremony also attended by clerics.
Ms Dida has also been relentlessly encouraging and counselling families whose sons fled to Somalia and other countries.
“I am happy that the President recognised grassroots initiatives being undertaken by women, including countering violent extremism, which has affected our youths,” Ms Dida, the Isiolo Women of Faith chairperson, said.
Ms Mworia, who is seeking to dethrone Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha in 2022 polls, said many women volunteers in the county had touched the lives of the residents.
“I feel so happy to be recognized as a Shujaa. The award is for Isiolo people. I did not get it because I am better than others doing similar work, but for touching the community in a special way,” she said.
Tribe and religion
Isiolo Interfaith chair Ahmed Sett, said efforts by the two had seen residents coexist regardless of their tribe and religion.
“We are happy that our own have been recognised and we urge them to continue serving our people with diligence because the most important reward comes from God,” Mr Sett said.
He lauded Ms Mworia for supplementing government’s 100 per cent transition and Ms Dida for fighting gender-based violence and female genital mutilation.
