During the 2023 Mashujaa Day celebrations, 157 individuals were honored for their remarkable contributions in various fields. Among the notable awardees were double World Champion Faith Kipyegon, World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum, and Douglas Wakiihuri, the former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta's trainer.
President William Ruto, in his address at Kericho Green Stadium, lauded Faith Kipyegon for her exceptional achievements in athletics. She made history by breaking world records in the 1,500 and 5,000-meter races, becoming the first woman to secure titles in both events in Budapest, Hungary, and Paris, France, respectively. Additionally, she set a mile world record at the Monaco Diamond League on July 21, 2023.
"Faith is celebrated for her dedication to sports. She is the current world record holder for 1500 meters and a former world record holder for 5000 meters. She won a gold medal in 1500 meters at both the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics," President Ruto commended.
Another sports icon honored was the legendary marathoner Douglas Wakiihuri, who became the first Kenyan to win a gold medal in the 1990 Commonwealth Marathon. He held the record for 17 years until 2007 when Luke Kibet achieved the same feat.
Since retiring, Wakiihuri has been actively involved in mentoring and training underprivileged children in Kibera. He also serves as a trainer for key figures, including Margaret Kenyatta during her morning runs.
World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum was recognized for his historic achievement during the Chicago marathon, where he became the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours and one minute.
"He (Kiptum) has competed in and won three marathons so far, including two top-tier World Marathon Majors, securing between December 2022 and October 2023 three of the top six times ever run."
The list of distinguished athletes also included Naftali Temu, the first Kenyan to win a gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, and Johnstone Kipkoech, who broke the world record in the 3,000 meters steeplechase in 1994.
Apart from athletics, the President honored Kenyans in 14 different categories, such as National Cohesion and Integration, environmental conservation, indigenous knowledge, arts, entrepreneurship, statesmanship, professional research, and liberation struggle. Additional categories included human rights, philanthropy, peace-making, cultural values and practices, and spiritual leadership.