Awards given on national holidays may soon come with additional benefits, as the State Department of Culture and Heritage plans to activate the long-dormant National Heroes Fund. While the fund was legally established, it has remained inactive. However, the department aims to make this year’s Mashujaa Day honorees the first beneficiaries.
The celebrations will occur in Kwale County on Sunday, with President William Ruto unveiling 142 individuals recognized after a rigorous vetting process.
“Apart from the usual certificates and recognition, we owe more to our heroes. We are working towards activating the National Heroes Fund to provide meaningful support to them and their families,” said Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Ummi Bashir. The National Heroes Fund, established in 2014 to offer financial assistance to heroes and their dependents, is awaiting the final regulations necessary for its full operationalization.
This year’s honorees span 14 diverse categories, including sports, philanthropy, statesmanship, and indigenous cultures, with some being recognized posthumously. The PS emphasized that the selection process was transparent and inclusive, ensuring all applicants had a fair chance.
Currently, heroes receive certificates, medals, and, in some cases, symbolic recognition through tombs, monuments, or statues in their honor. However, the government plans to allocate resources for the first time to support their daily needs.
“We may also publish books to document the contributions of some of these heroes to the country’s history,” Bashir noted.
The public plays a critical role in the nomination process for national heroes. Any individual, organization, group, or institution can submit recommendations for those they believe deserve the title. Upon receiving nominations, the National Heroes Council evaluates them based on criteria outlined in the First Schedule of the Kenya Heroes Act, No. 5 of 2014.
“The proposed names are then published in at least two national newspapers for public input,” Bashir added.
Once vetted, the final list of nominees is forwarded to the President for formal declaration in the Kenya Gazette, officially recognizing them as national heroes.
