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Kenyan Presidential Awards, Orders and Medals

During national celebrations, several Kenyans are usually conferred the presidential awards in recognition of the efforts they make to serve their country and others. Various athletes, politicians, clergymen, statesmen among others are awarded by the sitting president. But which awards do they receive? What do these awards mean and who are some of the recipients of these awards? And what are the criteria used to award these individuals? Read on.

The National Honors and Awards Committee advice the president on who to award the decorations and medals. The recipients are nominated by their county commissioners, government agencies, religious institutions, non-governmental entities, individuals, and other community-based groups.

You can find the most important Kenyan medals below. However, if you’re looking for the complete list of Kenyan awards and decorations, follow this link.

Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H)

This is the highest-ranked award and is presented to the holders of the president’s office. Influential leaders like President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Former Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Aga Khan IV, have received this award despite not being Kenyans.

As you can see, it’s a breast star made by Spink with an inverted backplate. It’s not that big, and it’s about 73 millimeters in diameter. The incumbent, President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is the holder of the award Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya.

The Order of the Golden Heart is divided into three categories based on their seniority:

The first is the Chief of the Golden Heart, which as indicated earlier, is awarded to a sitting president.

The next is the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H) that is awarded to among others the deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, Speakers of the August House and the Senate, the Cabinet Secretaries, the First Lady, The Deputy President’s wife, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) Chief of Staff and Personnel, and the Head of Public Service. In 2017, he awarded Mufaddal Saifuddin the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart.

Last in this category is the Moran of the order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (M.G.H)

Uhodari Medal

In the Kenya Defense Forces, this award is very prestigious. The Uhodari Medal is awarded to soldiers and individuals recognized for their most outstanding acts of bravery and sacrifice while serving in the armed forces and in different capacities.

However, for over 20 years no one received this award. President Moi’s predecessor H.E. Mwai Kibaki didn’t award the Uhodari Medal to anyone. But recently, the incumbent, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta awarded Major Ndeke Fredrick Afande the Uhodari Medal.

The most notable figure to have received this award is former Defense Forces General Mohammed for the role he played in saving the country during the 1982 coup attempt. He was awarded this medal by Retired president Daniel Arap Moi for saving the government.

Up to date, only 13 Kenyans have received this award, but a majority are not alive. As the country’s utmost gallantry honor, it is presented to the most conscious bravery or for some daring act of valor, extreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice. The recipients of this prestigious award put the lives of other first in an act of selflessness.

The Order of the Burning Spear

The Order of the Burning Spear was instituted on 21 April 1966 and measures 18.4mm (0.72 inches) in diameter. The award is given for distinguished services to public dignitaries, exemplary members of the public service, and other professionals.

The Order is divided into:

Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S)
Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S)
Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S)

Some of the notable figures who received this award include; former Statehouse Spokesman Manoah Esipisu, 800 meters Olympic Champion and world record holder David Rudisha, and veteran journalist Jeff Koinange of Citizen Television Kenya.

The elder rank of the Order of the Burning Spear is always a breast star and a neck badge, while the insignia of Moran Burning Spear (M.B.S.) and it’s ONLY a neck badge. The ribbon of the award is black, half green with a wide white-edged red central stripe. The earlier insignia of the Moran of the Burning Spear had a silvered center.

The Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (O.G.W)

The Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W) is an award presented to individuals in recognition of an outstanding service rendered to the country in different responsibilities and capacities. More importantly, it is an award presented to those who put their lives at risk to save their fellow countrymen.

The recipients of the O.G.W are those who leave a lasting image on their fellow countrymen by putting their country first before their personal feelings and interests. Among the notable recipients of this award include Former Senate Speaker, Hon. David Ekwee Ethuro, current speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Justin Bedan Muturi, former leader of the majority party in the Senate, Hon. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and the current leader of majority party in the national assembly Hon. Adan Duale.

Another notable figure to receive this award is Salah Farah, a Kenyan Muslim who shielded Christians during an Al-Shabaab ambush in Mandera town in Kenya.

Other awards according to seniority include the Distinguished Conduct Order, the Distinguished Conduct Order, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star of Kenya and the President’s Commendations (Military and Civilian Division).

The national Honors Act of 2014 prescribes the minimum threshold one you must meet before being conferred with these honors: A recipient of any of these awards shall merit the conferment of the award if:

The individual displays exemplary abilities, actions, valor, courage, and leadership for the protection, advantage, and improvement of the nation.
The person has made tremendous contributions to the nation in the social, economic, scientific, public, academics, governance, administration, business, and other notable fields.
A state or public office holder who has made a significant impact in the improvement of their national and county governments, the legislature, judiciary, executive, independent offices and commissions.
A person who has brought glory and honor to the country, notably the athletes who exhibit exemplary performance at the global arenas.