President William Ruto has conferred 881 national honours to distinguished Kenyans in recognition of exemplary service to the nation, as part of the 2025 Jamhuri Day celebrations.
In a special Government Gazette notice titled “Award of Orders, Decorations and Medals, Jamhuri Day, December 12, 2025,” the Head of State honoured individuals drawn from public service, national security agencies, elected leadership, private enterprise, and community leadership.
Among the country’s highest honours, the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya, went to nine individuals.
In the Second Class, Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), the President recognised seven persons, including Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's elder sister, Kristina Pratt.
Others are Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and prominent entrepreneur Jaffer Mohamed Husein.
Cabinet Secretaries William Kabogo (ICT), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade) and Deborah Barasa (Environment) also warned the honour.
In the Third Class, Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H.), two senior military officers, Lt. Gen. David Ketter, the Kenya Army Commander, and his Kenya Air Force counterpart Maj. Gen. Bernard Waliaula were honoured.
The widely awarded Order of the Burning Spear went to individuals recognised for outstanding commitment and leadership in public service, security operations, and governance.
In the First Class, Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S.), 81 individuals were honoured.
They include Godfrey Otunge, who is leading Kenya’s Gang Suppression Force mission in Haiti, nominated Senator Veronica Maina, Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) chairperson Mary Chebukati and IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein, alongside other elected leaders and members of disciplined services.
The Second Class, Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S.) was conferred on 74 individuals, among them senior counsel Nowrojee Pheroze (posthumous) and Mpaa Lenku Ole (posthumous).
Nowrojee passed away on April 5, 2025, at the age of 84, while Mpaa, who was the father of Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku, died on January 19, 2019.
The Third Class, Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S.) honoured 235 individuals, including Members of Parliament, colonels in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and senior police officers such as Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda.
A further 164 individuals received the Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W.) of Kenya, awarded to persons who have exhibited exceptional dedication and service in their respective sectors.
The Silver Star (S.S.) of Kenya, typically reserved for acts of gallantry and outstanding bravery, was awarded to 39 persons.
The Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.) went to Chief Inspector (CI) Jairus Okoyo Ochieng and Inspector of Police (IP) Gilbert Njeru.
In the commendation category, the President awarded 189 individuals under the Head of State’s Commendation (H.S.C.)-Military Division, and 88 individuals under the Civilian Division.
Kenya’s national honours system recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation through leadership, public service, bravery, innovation, or community impact.
Candidates are nominated by ministries, county governments, security agencies, constitutional commissions, and the general public.
A vetting process, coordinated through the National Honours and Awards Committee housed in the Office of the President, reviews the nominees’ records, integrity profiles, and documented achievements.
The final list is then approved by the President in his capacity as the fountain of honour, before being published in a special Gazette notice and conferred during national holidays such as Jamhuri Day and Madaraka Day.
