Marathoner Faith Kipyegon and newly crowned world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum have been listed among the 157 Mashujaa Day Heroes and Heroines of 2023.
The two made the list of 24 sportsmen and women recognized during this year’s 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Kericho County.
Categories nominated for award this year included Liberation Struggle composed of 20 freedom fighters, four in Spiritual leadership, six for Cultural values and practices, 20 in scholarship professionalism research and 11 others in peacemaking.
Other categories were Statesmanship (6), Philanthropy (15), Entrepreneurship and Industry (8), Human rights (9), Arts (15), Indigenous knowledge (6), Environmental conservation (8) and five others in National cohesion and integration.
Other notable names were Japheth Musyoki Musee, the co-founder of Sports for Persons with Disabilities who won a Gold medal in short put and silver in discus.
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Raymond Wafula was also recognised for his contribution to the Film industry in the Arts category, together with veteran broadcaster Khadija Ali among others.
Struggle liberators making the 2023 list included; Kanyari Nelly Wanjiru and Joseph Wangai Mwaura (both from Kiambu), M'nthiri Zablon (Tharaka Nithi), Igoki Teresia Kiambi (Meru), Mulwa Muindi (Machakos), Muiruri Joseph Njuguna (Murang’a) and Macharia Wilson Maina (Murang’a).
Others were Mbari Joseph Waweru (Kiambu), Oigo Paul Angwech (Kisumu), Oyuko Phoebe Ambiyo (Kisumu), Mohammed Yare Abdi Ogle (Wajir), Musembi Mutia Kungu (Machakos), Kalondu Matheka Mbalu (Makueni) and Rael Kavenia Mutinda (Machakos).
Kipyegon won Gold medals in 1500 metres at the 2017, 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships and clinched Gold in 5000 metres at the 2023 World Athletic Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Kiptum, on his part, broke the Marathon record as the only person in history to run the distance under two hours and one minute in a record-eligible race.
In the sports docket, Rosemary Wanjiru who won the 2023 Tokyo Marathon, Emmanuel Wanyonyi who won a Gold medal at the 2021 World Under 20 Championships and Johnstone Kipkoech who broke the world 3,000M steeple chase record in the 1994 Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, Canada made it to the list.
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