Ruto confers Raila Odinga with Kenya’s highest award

Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has been posthumously conferred the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), the nation’s highest civilian honour, during the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County on Monday, October 20, 2025.

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President William Ruto bestowed the honour “on behalf of a grateful nation,” describing Raila as a “towering patriot and a hero for the ages.”

The award, given under the public seal of the Republic of Kenya, came as the country continues to observe seven days of mourning following Raila’s death earlier this month.

“The government and the people of Kenya inscribe Raila Odinga’s name among the foremost of our heroes under the public seal of the Republic of Kenya,” President Ruto declared during his Mashujaa Day address.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, and through the authority vested in me as president, I have today posthumously conferred upon the Right Honourable Raila Odinga the highest honour of the Republic, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya,” he added.

The President paid glowing tribute to Raila’s lifelong dedication to justice, democracy, and unity, describing him as a man who “aspired and laboured for a Kenya that is free, fair, and governed by the rule of law.”

Legacy of courage

Ruto recalled his reflections during Raila’s state funeral, admitting that he had once wondered aloud, “Where will another Raila come from?” He went on to answer his own question: “The truth is, there will forever be only one Raila Amolo Odinga, a single spirit, a towering patriot, and a hero for ages.”

The President urged Kenyans to emulate Raila’s principles, saying, “If we, the people he so deeply loved and served, choose to live by the lessons he taught us to love Kenya more than we love ourselves, to put unity above division, to aspire for greater, and to serve with courage and conviction then we can become a great nation of 50 million heroes.”

President Ruto dedicated this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations to Raila’s enduring spirit, describing him as a symbol of unity and selflessness.

“Time and again, he reminded us that no disagreement is greater than our unity, no ambition more important than our peace, and no personal interest higher than the welfare of our nation,” Ruto said.