President William Ruto has revised the national honours awarded to 10 individuals during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, reassigning them to lower award categories in changes announced days after the ceremony.
In a gazette notice published on Friday, December 19, the President directed that the affected awardees, who had initially been conferred with the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S.), be moved to other categories including the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S.), the Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W.) and the Head of State’s Commendation (H.S.C.).
Among those affected are Ndung’u Joyce Njeri Njoroge and Kiini Sylvester Ngei, who were reassigned from the C.B.S. to the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S.).
Six others Owino Harrison Ochieng, Kirui Kipkemoi Arap, Chemweno Peter Kipsang, Mogere Zakayo Izanta, Sitima Allan Mukoto and Akama Vane Nyaboke were moved to the Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W.).
In addition, Buchere Philip Brightone, who had been awarded the C.B.S. posthumously, was also reassigned to the Order of the Grand Warrior.
Odera Millicent Anyango, another recipient of the C.B.S., was moved to the Head of State’s Commendation.
The changes come after President Ruto presided over the conferment of national honours on 881 Kenyans during the Jamhuri Day celebrations held at State House on December 12, an annual ceremony meant to recognise exceptional service to the nation.
During the event, several prominent figures received top national awards. Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Kristina Pratt Kenyatta sister to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kajiado Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu were conferred with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.).
The same honour was also awarded to Cabinet Secretaries William Kabogo, Debora Barasa and Lee Kinyanjui.
Senior military officers were also recognised, with Kenya Army Lieutenant General Keter Kipkemboi and Kenya Air Force Commander Major General Bernard Waliaula receiving the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H.).
Beyond politics and the military, the President also honoured achievements in arts and environmental conservation. Musician Ian Oure, popularly known as Iyanii, received the Head of State’s Commendation, alongside Truphena Muthoni, who recently made headlines after setting a 72-hour tree-hugging world record.
While the gazette notice did not explain the reasons behind the revisions, the move has drawn public attention, as changes to national honours after conferment are rare and often closely scrutinised.
