The Parliamentary Honors Advisory Committee have today listed nine legislator nominee of the state medal honor to be awarded by the president
The nominated are Baringo Senator Gideon Moi Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja,Nominated Senator Agnes Zani, Narok Woman Rep Roselinda Tuya MPs Kimani Ichng’wa (Kikuyu), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Shakeer Shabir (Kisumu East), Maoka Maore (Igembe North) and Jesicca Mbalu (Kibwezi East).
The top most category of the national awards is the Chief of the Golden Heart medal that is awarded to Heads of State and was also awarded to His Majesty the Aga Khan and former UN Secretary-General the Late Kofi Annan.
National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi will receive the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart medal, the highest honour that will be awarded by President Uhuru in 2018.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, who also holds a Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear medal, will be awarded the Moran of the Golden Heart.
National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Jimmy Angwenyi is scheduled to also receive a medal for the Moran of the Golden Heart award.
The committee also recommended retired Senate Sergeant-at-arms David Mbija Omura and retired food and beverage supervisor Godana Gufu for Head of state commendation honours.
The highest of these awards is the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya which is divided into three classes depending on their seniority. The most senior is the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.) which is mostly awarded to Presidents.
Apart from sitting Kenyan Presidents, other notable figures who have previously been given the honour include Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, his Liberian counterpart Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Agha Khan IV among others.
Next is the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H.) which is awarded to among others the Deputy President, Speakers of Parliament, Cabinet Secretaries, the First Lady, the wife of the Deputy President, Head of Public Service and the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) Chief of Staff.
The last in this category is the Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (M.G.H.) whose recipients include senior KDF commanders and the Inspector General of Police.
Some of those who hold this award are senior judges, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu and journalist Jeff Koinange, 800M Olympic champion David Rudisha among others.
The other presidential orders in terms of seniority include; the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya, the Distinguished Conduct Order, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star of Kenya, Head of State’s Commendation and the Uhodari Medal.
These commendations are given to recipients on the advice of the National Honours and Awards Committee in the Office of the President.
According to the National Honours Act, those who merit the decoration include; a person who exhibits exemplary qualities, or achievements of heroism, patriotism or leadership, one who has made an exemplary contribution to the country in the economic, scientific, academic, sports, journalism, business, security or other fields.
Others to be considered are a State officer or public officer who has made an exemplary contribution to the betterment of the national or county governments, the executive, the judiciary, the legislature and a person who has otherwise brought honour, glory or pride to the nation.