The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been proposed for posthumous recognition as a national hero alongside 241 other Kenyans by the National Heroes Council.
Raila, who died in October 2025, has been nominated under the statesmanship category in recognition of his contribution to the country.
He has been listed alongside the late former Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Laboso and the late Pio Gama Pinto, who have also been proposed for posthumous recognition for their contributions to Kenya.
The nominations are part of a process conducted under the Kenya Heroes Act No. 5 of 2014, which mandates the National Heroes Council to identify, select and facilitate the recognition of national heroes.
Laboso has been nominated in recognition of her contribution to good governance, transformative development and advocacy for devolution.
She served as the Member of Parliament for Sotik Constituency between 2008 and 2017 before making history as one of Kenya's first elected female governors after winning the Bomet gubernatorial seat in 2017.
Laboso also served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and was the pioneer African woman Co-President of the African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly between 2013 and 2014.
The council said her legacy continues to inspire generations pursuing good governance and transformative leadership.
Pinto, a journalist, political activist and socialist thinker of Goan-Kenyan heritage, has also been proposed for posthumous recognition.
The council said Pinto was being honoured for his contribution to Kenya's liberation struggle, democratic evolution and the advancement of social justice. According to the council, Pinto used journalism to advance political mobilisation, workers' rights, equality, socialism and anti-colonial resistance. His activism, it added, inspired generations of journalists, activists and citizens.
Several prominent Kenyans have also been proposed for recognition under the statesmanship category, including Ambassador Amina Mohamed, former Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai and Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Dr Kamau Thugge.
Mohamed has been nominated for her contribution to national and international leadership, diplomacy and public administration.
She has served as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Education, Science and Technology, and Sports, Culture and Heritage. She also served as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the country's representative to the World Trade Organisation.
Muigai has been proposed for his contribution to democracy and constitutional and legal reforms. He served as a Commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission from 2000 to 2005, playing a role in the constitutional review process that culminated in the 2010 Constitution.
He later served as Attorney General from 2011 to 2018, where he contributed to advancing the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Thugge has been nominated for his contribution to economic governance, currency stability and public service. The council said his leadership at the Central Bank of Kenya has contributed to efforts to strengthen economic stability and resilience, boost confidence in the banking sector and support sustainable economic growth.
The National Heroes Council has now opened the nominations to public scrutiny, inviting Kenyans to raise objections against any of the proposed honourees.
The council said the names of the nominees, together with brief summaries of their achievements, had been published on its website for public review.
“Members of the public who are of the opinion that any person proposed to be honoured is not deserving of such recognition are hereby invited to submit any objections and representations,” the council said.
The process is being conducted under Section 23 of the Kenya Heroes Act, which provides for public participation in the recognition of national heroes.
Objections and representations must be submitted through sworn affidavits within 14 days of publication of the notice.
The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2026, after which the council will consider the representations in accordance with the Kenya Heroes Act.
If approved, the 242 nominees will join the distinguished list of Kenyans recognised as national heroes, with the honours expected to be conferred during the Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20.
