This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
On Mashujaa Day, President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded world marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart medal in Mombasa, in recognition of his historic achievement in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria.
President Kenyatta described Kipchoge as a 'living legend' and the 'greatest of our time' as he bestowed the honour on behalf of 'past and present sporting heroes'. The Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart is a Presidential award second only to the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart.
Among previous recipients of the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart are Deputy President William Ruto, Speakers of Parliament, and various Cabinet Secretaries.
President Kenyatta said: 'On this day we celebrate those who have built Kenya with their bravery, their sacrifice and their fidelity; we celebrate and honour those that go above and beyond the call of duty.'
Deputy President Ruto congratulated President Kenyatta for steering development in the country, referring to him as a 'shujaa'.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party boss Raila Odinga called on Kenyans to support the handshake and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) at the same function.
