“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others and your country.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Every year, on 20th October, Kenya celebrates Mashujaa Day. A national holiday set aside to honor individuals who have displayed extraordinary love and service to this country in their own small, albeit unsung ways in their communities and their fields of expertise. As a country, we refuse to let our heroes and heroines go unnoticed, we sing their praises as they walk this earth and recognize their efforts in making Kenya a better place for us to live.
This day was formerly known as Kenyatta Day, named after our founding father, and Kenya’s first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. It was a great honor in remembrance of his noble fight and sacrifice against the British Colonial rule that even saw him arrested and imprisoned at Kapenguria prison. But Kenyatta’s was not a solitary fight.
With him, were others who are now famously remembered as the Kapenguria Six, who were also imprisoned alongside him, not to mention the thousands of Mau Mau fighters who lost their lives for the liberation of this country. A feat that was marked in great celebration when we finally gained independence in 1963.
So, when a review of the Kenya constitution was done and a new one was promulgated in 2010, we, the people, decided to recognize Kenyatta Day as Mashujaa Day, in honor of not only the founders of this great nation but also every man or woman who dedicates their time, effort and resources in service of this country.
These are our modern heroes and heroines who strive to live by the words of Gandhi by doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.
Who have we honored in the past?
In the past 12 years, we have bestowed the noble title of Shujaa (hero) to several Kenyans from all walks of life. We have celebrated our athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge, David Rudisha, and Victor Wanyama, individuals whose excellence on the tracks and in the field has solidified the Kenyan name as an athletics powerhouse.
Others include:
Dr. Catherine Nyongesa: a medical doctor who gained recognition for her role in the fight against COVID-19 in Kenya. She was at the forefront of healthcare efforts during the pandemic and is considered a healthcare hero.
Wangari Maathai’s Legacy: The first ever African female to win a Nobel Prize, Wangari Maathai is a Kenyan hero in every right and has been celebrated as such. While Maathai is a historical figure, her legacy and the organizations she founded, such as the Green Belt Movement, continue to make a positive impact on environmental conservation, women’s rights, and community development in Kenya.
Sauti Sol: This Kenyan music group has achieved international recognition for their music and advocacy for various social issues. We have honored them for using their platform to address social and political concerns with their music.
James Mwangi: The CEO of Equity Group Holdings, James Mwangi, has been recognized for his contributions to the financial and banking sector in Kenya. His innovative approaches have made financial services more accessible to ordinary Kenyans. Under his leadership, Equity Group has offered scholarships to thousands of students from low-income backgrounds through its ‘Wings to Fly’ program. The graduates of this noble endeavor are now themselves leaders of change in their respective fields.
What to expect this year
This year, Mashujaa Day will be celebrated in Kericho County. This is after it was decided in 2016, by the president at the time, Uhuru Kenyatta, that the celebration be rotational among all the 47 counties.
In this Kericho event, our current President William Ruto, is expected to unveil the much-anticipated Universal Healthcare Plan, a program intended to avail quality healthcare services to every Kenyan no matter their income or status. In this event, many more heroes and heroines of the day will be celebrated.
At Kendirita Tours, we are proud to be associated with our Shujaas, and this Mashujaa day we are organizing staycations for our guests traveling to Kericho County. Kericho is also the largest source of our world-renowned tea and we simply cannot wait to take you on a tour of the breathtaking chai plantations of Kericho!
Writer: Winnie Wekesa