National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot are among the nominees proposed for the conferment of the second highest honours in the country.
The two alongside the minority leaders from the two Houses Opiyo Wandayi and Steward Mwadzayo are to be presented the awards and the insignia of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH).
They are among the 50 candidates whose names have been proposed by the Parliamentary Honours Advisory Committee (PHAC).
The Committee is seeking views and objections from the public on their suitability for the awards and honors.
“It is notified to the general public that pursuant to Section 8 (2) of the National Honors Act, 2013, the Parliamentary Honours Advisory Committee has proposed the persons listed for the conferment of the corresponding honors and awards,” reads the notice from the joint secretaries of the committee.
The views and objections are to be presented by email before November 14.
“Hand-delivered documents shall not be accepted,” it adds.
Parliament enacted the Parliamentary Honours Act, 2013 which in turn established three Advisory Committees to assist the president in identifying nominees in accordance with the Act.
Among these advisory Committees is the PHAC which is chaired by the Speakers of both Houses.
Orders, decorations, and medals are awarded by the President of Kenya in recognition of outstanding or distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities.
The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH) is the highest and 1st class honour in the country under the Order of Golden Heart.
It is held by the head of the state.
As of 2009, the award had been bestowed on 198 people since independence.
EGH is the 2nd class honor while Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H) is the 3rd class.
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Kericho and Parliamentary Service Commissioner Johnstone Muthama are the only two nominees who have been recommended to be presented with the MGH medal.
Some 37 other lawmakers are set to be conferred with the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S).
CBS is the 1st class medal under the Order of the Burning Spear while Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (E.B.S) is the 2nd class under the category.
Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S) is the 3rd class medal.
Seven staff of parliament will be conferred with the Order of Grand Warrior (OGW).
This award is presented to individuals in recognition of an outstanding service rendered to the country in different responsibilities and capacities.
