The National Heroes Council has proposed five Harambee Stars players who featured in the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) to be honoured as national heroes during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday.
The five are captain Abud Omar, goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, midfielder Alpha Onyango, striker Ryan Ogam, and Nicodemus Musau, who is the Harambee Stars team manager and data analyst.
Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar (right) with goalkeeper Byrne Omondi during the 2024 Africa Nations Championship quarter-finals match between Kenyan and Madagascar at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Sports personalities, with 31 nominations, dominate the 14-category list. The other categories are Human Rights (24 proposals), Arts (21), Philanthropy (17), Environmental Conservation (14), Liberation Struggle (15), Scholarship, Professionalism and Research (13), Entrepreneurship and Industry (12), Peacemaking ), National Cohesion (7), Cultural Values and Practices (6), Statemanship (6), Indigenous Knowledge (3), and Spiritual Leadership (3).
Last year’s list had 130 nominees, with sports contributing 16 personalities. Only Peacemaking had more, 17.
Harambee Stars celebrate after their 1-0 win during their Chan match against DR Congo at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on August 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Kenya reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 Chan that the country co-hosted with Tanzania and Uganda.
Harambee Stars' Ryan Ogam celebrates his goal against Morocco during their Chan Group 'A' match at Kasarani on August 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ryan Ogam, who scored Kenya’s winners in their 1-0 victories over Morocco and Zambia, was man of the match against the Chipolopolo.
Alpha Onyango stood out in Harambee Stars midfield, earning man of the match awards in Kenya’s 1-0 win over DR Congo and against Madagascar in the quarter-final.
Kenya's Alpha Onyango (left) vies for an aerial ball with Jean Luc of Madagascar during the 2024 Africa Nations Championship quarter-finals match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Other notable nominees are former long time Cecafa secretary general Nicholas Musonye, who was the Chairman of the 2024 Chan Local Organising Committee, and Mildred Omari Cheche, the coach of the history-making Junior Starlets squad that featured at the 2024 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup.
2024 Chan Local Organising Committee chairman Nicholas Musonye speaks to journalists at Nyayo National Stadium on March 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Three athletes who won medals at the 2025 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U-18 and U-20 Championships held in Nigeria, also make the sports list.
Kenya U-17 women's team coach Mildred Cheche.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
They are Clinton Aluvi (gold in men’s U-20 100 metres), Cynthia Chepkirui (gold in girls’ U-18 3 000 metre steeplechase and bronze in girls’ 800 metres), and Nancy Makani (gold in women’s U-20 800 metres).
Joining them are deaflympics athletes Sharon Jeptarus and Lucas Wanjiru. Jeptarus won silver medals in 800 metres and 1,500 metres at the 2022 Deaflympics Games held in Brazil. Wanjiru won gold medals in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at the 2017 (held in Turkey) and 2022 Deaflympics Games.
Jairus Ongeta also earned recognition for his achievements at the 2025 Grand Prix Dubai Paralympics (gold medals in 100 and 400 metres) and the 2025 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Powerlifting and Bench Press World Cup held in Kazakhstan.
Paracyclist Kennedy Ogada and his guide Fabian Gathoni also made the list, as did mountaineer James Kagambi who in May 2022 became the first Kenyan to summit Mount Everest.
Others are Abraham Mukulu (volleyball), Anne Lichina (sign language interpreter in deaf sports), Catherine Makau (judo and martial arts), Clarence Mwakio (Tong-il Moo-do), Erick Sikuku (race walking), Faith Ogallo (Taekwondo), Kennedy Ndemo (athletics), Linet Osiako and Pauline Sheghu (motorsport), Morris Alfayo (boxing), Mourice Aloo (Karate), Parin Simiyu (netball), Rebecca Kerubo (hammer), Shadrack Andenga (sports journalist), and Vincent Onsomu (rugby).
