Kenya has paid tribute to its heroes and heroines as President Kibaki announced a national monument will be erected in their honour next year.
The National Heroes Monument will be established at Heroes Corner in Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, he said.
“We are planning to erect the monument by the end of next year,” the President said during celebrations to mark Mashujaa Day at the Nyayo National Stadium Wednesday.
For the first time, Kenyans who have rendered selfless service to society were recognised.
The national holiday is the first since the promulgation of the new Constitution in August.
The new laws transformed Kenyatta Day, which had been marked since independence in remembrance of the struggle for freedom, to Mashujaa so that all those who participated in the fight and those who have made a mark in the lives of other Kenyans could also feature.
“Mashujaa are men and women who have made a lasting mark in the lives of fellow Kenyans and in the history and development of our country. They are men and women who have taken great risks in service to save, advance and protect their fellow citizens.
“These are also men and women whose hard work, courage and perseverance have had a great impact on the socio-economic well being of our people,” said President Kibaki in his speech.
The President also saluted Kenya’s heroes and heroines who resisted colonialists.
Among those remembered were: Mekatilili wa Menza, Koitalel arap Samoei, Harry Thuku and Muindi Mbingu.
Others are: first Kenyan leader Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng’ Oneko, Paul Ngei, Bildad Kaggia, Kung’u Karumba and Fred Kubai who were referred to as the Kapenguria Six after being detained by the colonialists.
“We also pay tribute to Dedan Kimathi and his comrades. These great Kenyans, through courage and determination, galvanised the struggle for Kenya’s independence,” President Kibaki said.
He said while the Kapenguria Six and many others were in detention, the flame of independence was kept burning by nationalists among them Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Ronald Ngala, Masinde Muliro, Tom Mboya, Martin Shikuku, Jean Marie Seroney, Bernard Mate, Lawrence Sagini, James Gichuru, Pio Gama Pinto and former president Daniel arap Moi.
Post independence Mashujaa whose service to the nation has contributed to the social and economic progress and greater democratic space were also celebrated.
“Our present day Mashujaa are those who, through hard work and perseverance, are creating agricultural, industrial and service enterprises that have created jobs and increased incomes for Kenyans,” the President said.
Companies that have made regional and global impacts through innovation and export of goods and services were also given a thumbs up.
The firms include national carrier Kenya Airways, Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank, KCB Bank, Bidco, East Africa Breweries, Safaricom, as well as Kenya’s world class tea and flower farms.
Scholars including scientist Thomas Odhiambo, historian Bethuel Ogot, political scientist Ali Mazrui, author Ngugi wa Thiong’o, public health specialist Miriam Were, as well the Nobel laureate and environmentalist Wangari Maathai also featured in Mashujaa list.
Kipchoge Keino and Naphtali Temu’s winning of gold medals in the Mexico Olympic Games of 1968-the first feat for the African continent was recognised at the colourful celebrations.
The President also paid tribute to women runners Catherine Ndereba and Tecla Lorupe.
“Today, Kenyans are dominating Olympic, Commonwealth and continental athletics and our rugby team continues to shine. These are some of our modern day Mashujaa. They are making us proud and confident that we have the ability, the will and courage to win. Indeed, we are a country of winners,” the President said.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Mashujaa Day “captures the journey of national renewal that we have embarked on”.
“We are focusing on our togetherness and the togetherness of those who struggled for this country before us,” said Mr Odinga.
The PM told Kenyans, especially the youth, that they need not resort to violence to be recognised as heroes.
“To be a hero in Kenya from here on, what you will need most is to be a good and responsible citizen. That will be heroic enough.”
Turning to the new dispensation, President Kibaki said the new law had created institutions that will facilitate checks and balances to ensure democratic governance.
“The new constitution also provides a legal framework for gender equality and women empowerment,” he said.
The President said Kenya had made great strides toward the realisation of Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the country into a middle-income country with a high quality of life.
He enumerated government successes including free primary education, expansion of tertiary education, food security and infrastructure development.
“We are also modernising our airports and sea ports. These investments are intended to make our country globally competitive as well as a regional hub for investment, services and commerce.”
The Head of State directed the Kenya Forest Service to expand its tree nurseries and urged Kenyans “to reserve 10 per cent of our land for tree cover as stipulated in our Constitution”.
He also extended his best wishes to students sitting for their national exams.
Source: DAILY NATION
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