The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga/HANDOUTThe late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been included among 242 Kenyans proposed for recognition as national heroes by the National Heroes Council.
Raila has been proposed for posthumous recognition under the category of statesmanship, alongside the late former Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Laboso and the late Pio Gama Pinto.
The nominations are part of a process undertaken under the Kenya Heroes Act No. 5 of 2014, which mandates the National Heroes Council to identify, select and provide for the recognition of national heroes.
Raila, who died in October 2025, has been nominated in recognition of his contribution to statesmanship.
The council has also proposed Laboso for posthumous recognition for her contribution to good governance, transformative development and advocacy for devolution.
Laboso served as the Member of Parliament for Sotik Constituency from 2008 to 2017 before becoming one of Kenya's first elected female governors when she was elected Bomet Governor in 2017.
She also served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and was the pioneer African woman Co-President of the African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly between 2013 and 2014.
The council said Laboso's legacy continues to inspire generations in the pursuit of good governance and transformative leadership.
Pinto, a journalist, political activist and socialist thinker of Goan-Kenyan heritage, has also been proposed for posthumous recognition.
He is being honoured for his contribution to Kenya's liberation struggle, democratic evolution and advancement of social justice.
According to the council, Pinto used journalism as a tool for political mobilisation, workers' rights, equality, socialism and anti-colonial resistance.
The council said his principled activism inspired generations of journalists, activists and citizens.
Among those proposed for recognition for statesmanship are Ambassador Amina Mohamed, former Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai and Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr Kamau Thugge.
Mohamed has been nominated for her contribution to national and international leadership, diplomacy and public administration.
She has served as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Education, Science and Technology, and Sports, Culture and Heritage. She has also served as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and representative to the World Trade Organisation.
Muigai is being recognised for his contribution to democracy, constitutional and legal reforms.
He served as a Commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission from 2000 to 2005, where he contributed to the constitutional review process that culminated in the 2010 Constitution.
As Attorney General from 2011 to 2018, he also contributed to the advancement of the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Thugge has been proposed for his contribution to economic governance, currency stability and public service.
As Central Bank Governor, he has overseen efforts to strengthen Kenya's economic stability and resilience, with the council saying his leadership has contributed to confidence in the banking sector and sustainable economic growth.
The National Heroes Council has now opened the nominations to public scrutiny and invited Kenyans to submit objections against any of the proposed honourees.
The council said the names and brief summaries of the nominees' achievements had been published on its website to allow members of the public to review them.
“Members of the public who are of the opinion that any person proposed to be honoured is not deserving of such recognition are hereby invited to submit any objections and representations,” the council said.
The invitation is in line with Section 23 of the Kenya Heroes Act, which provides for public participation in the process of recognising national heroes.
Objections and representations must be submitted through sworn affidavits within 14 days of publication of the notice.
The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2026, after which the council will consider the representations in accordance with the provisions of the Kenya Heroes Act.
