Mashujaa Day: Dennis Oliech, Ruth Jepng’etich among Kenyan Sports personalities honoured by Uhuru Kenyatta

A number of notable Kenyan personalities in the sporting world were honoured by President Uhuru Kenyatta as heroes and heroines during the latest edition of the Mashujaa Day celebrations on Wednesday, October 20.

Mashujaa day typically honours heroes who played a pivotal role in fighting for the country’s freedom in the colonial era but over the years, Kenyans who have helped raise the country’s flag high in various disciplines are also feted.

TUKO.co.ke takes a look at a number of Kenyans in the sports arena who were feted on Mashujaa Day:

Dennis Oliech – Popularly known as “the Menace”, he is one of the most talented strikers the country has ever seen and represented Kenya in World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of nations.

Ruth Chepngetich – the current World Half Marathon champion and Former Half Marathon record holder 2021

Humphrey Kayange – Arguably the most prized Kenyan export in the field of rugby as he Competed in world Rugby Sevens series (2005-2016) and served as te chair for the Nock Athletes' Commission (4years);

Richard Juma Okayo: emerged 7th at the 1968 Olympic games in 10000 metres and was a bronze medalist in the 10000m in 1974 World Athletic Championships. He also won gold in the 10000m in 1973 All-African Games in Zambia.

Rose Tata Muya, OGW - Participated between 1974 – 1990 three Commonwealth games,

Stephen Kamande - He was a silver medalist at the 2016 World Masters Athletic Championships in Australia and is also a 2-time gold medalist in half marathon and 10000m road race in World Athletic Masters championships in Spain.

Nancy Chelangat Koech - she was a 1500m specialist who won Gold in the 1500m and 200m in Morocco

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Asiya Mohammed - she was the first Kenyan female rower to qualify for Paralympics and is a five-time gold medallist in Standard Chartered Marathon.

Korir David – He is popular and celebrated for being the Guide and eyes of Erick Kiptoo sang

Erick Kiptoo Sang – He is a specialist in the 1500m and 5000m races and won gold in Tunisia in 2016 in the 5000m race among other accolades

John Bob Oyugi - Former National Football Player; Senior Football Coach and Instructor

Delilah Asiago - Won the Dubai marathon in 2006; Holds 4mile and 12km road running world records.

Ricky Solomon - Participant in the International Youth Soccer; Scouted by a German agent to play in Germany in 1982; 2012: Appointed to the East & Central Football Association on the Committee of Youth.

Linus Wachoka Masheti - 2004 National and prisons wrestling coach. He is currently the Naivasha women’s wrestling coach.

Millicent Busolo – She is the Netball Federation Secretary General and represented the country in the All Africa Games in 1999 in Johannesburg, emerged 4th position.

Joseph Kiprotich Cheromei – he is a veteran athlete who represented Kenya in 1991 in New Delhi 5000m and won a bronze medal.

Abudu Juma Waziri - Former weightlifter who participated in All African games in 1987 bantam weight, finishing 4th; An Olympian in bantam weight, Seoul Korea Olympic games 1988.

Felix Kipkoech - Gold medalist in the Geneva Berlin half marathon in 2021; Gold medalist in Tuscany Camp half marathon Siena, Italy in 2021; Gold medalist in the semi-marathon Christian Granger de Boulogne-Billancourt.

Dickson Manyange - He is a Deaf handball player who plays in the National Deaf handball team; Represented Kenya in the world Deaf handball in 2018 in Brazil. He has been awarded with the Soya Award winner sports personality of the year living with disability.

Moses Mathenge - 2002 federation of East, Southern Central Africa Boxing Association Silver Medalist; Gold medal winner, CommonWealth Games 2006 in Australia; Bronze Medal winner in the All Africa Millitary Games in 2018; Winner in the East Africa Military Games 2005, 2006 (Silver) & 2008 (Gold). He represented Kenya in the All-Africa Games 2015, Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Sudhir Solank - Played for Coast Cricket Association in 1979; In 1980-2007 played in the Senior League with Ngara Credit Club; In 1983 played for the Kenya Team against Zambia, and in 1987 in England. He played cricket for Kenya in many International matches, with exemplary performance.

Jennifer Kamande – Coach, para-swimming Kenya; An athlete since 2000, participating in Paralympic games as a swimmer in class to international levels until 2010. Started coaching since 2010 up to date. Her para-swimmers have participated in Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, in 2017 the World Championship Game and qualified to go for the London World Championship in 2018 and to Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.