Orders, decorations, and medals of Kenya are awarded by the President of Kenya "in recognition of outstanding or distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities".[1] Awards are made by the president upon the advice of a National Honours and Awards Committee in the president's office. Individuals are nominated for awards by district committees, government ministries, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, individuals and others.[2] The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart is the highest honour awarded by the Kenyan government.[3]

Awards

  • 1st Class – Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.)
  • 2nd Class – Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.)
  • 3rd Class – Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H.)
  • 1st Class – Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S.)
  • 2nd Class – Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S.)
  • 3rd Class – Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S.)
  • Military Division
  • Civilian Division

Notable recipients

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

The President of Kenya holds the position of Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya. The incumbent is William Ruto.

The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya is the highest honour in Kenya,[3] and as of 2009 the award has been bestowed on 198 people since Kenyan independence.[2] Recipients of this award include Yoweri Museveni the President of Uganda, Aga Khan IV,[5] Reimond Kipkesio and Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community.[6][7]

Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H)

The Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) is the second highest honour awarded by the Kenyan government.

On 20 April 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart to His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, at the inauguration of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Nairobi.[8]

On 20 October 2019, President Kenyatta awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya to Eliud Kipchoge for running a sub two-hour marathon in Vienna, Austria.[9]

Order of the Grand Warrior

Salah Farah received the award for dying trying to fend off a terrorist attack. The Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, said Farah "...is a costly reminder that we all have a role to protecting our freedoms.[10]"

Bars

Ribbon bars[11]

Order of the Golden Heart
Order of the Burning Spear
Order of the Grand Warrior
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star of Kenya

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Orders, decorations and medals of Kenya.
  1. ^ The Kenya Gazette, vol. 88, Published by Authority of the Republic of Kenya, 2002
  2. ^ a b Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard), National Assembly of Kenya, 10 June 2009
  3. ^ a b Lorch, Donatella (2 April 1994). "Busia Journal; Where Uganda and Kenya Collide". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  4. ^ "KENYA ORDER OF THE GOLDEN HEART". Gentleman's Military Interest Club. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  5. ^ Kenya: Country Honours Aga Khan, All Africa, retrieved 29 July 2011
  6. ^ "Kenya Law | Kenya Gazette". kenyalaw.org. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  7. ^ "List: Chebukati, IEBC CEO, John Sibi-Okumu feted with state commendations : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  8. ^ Capital News; Opening of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah, 20 April 2017, retrieved 21 April 2017
  9. ^ "Kipchoge honoured with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya". The Standard. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Mandera terror attack hero gets presidential honour". Daily Nation. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Photographic image : Ribbons" (GIF). Coleccionesmilitares.com. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
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