Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has reacted to the posthumous awarding of the late Raila Odinga with the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart award by President William Ruto.

Speaking on Monday, October 20, 2025, the governor lamented the timing of the award, expressing dismay at what had prevented his recognition with Kenya’s highest civilian honour while he was alive.

Also watch: Natembeya’s tribute to Raila Odinga

Pretentious lot

“Today I listened to the president’s speech and how he posthumously awarded Raila with the CGH honour. The honour is reserved only for the presidents. But it has been bestowed upon him,”he stated.

“We are a pretentious, incorrigible country. What prevented the president from honouring Raila with that CGH honour when he was alive?. Of what value is it for now? He would not have gone around hanging around his neck,”he posed.

The politician cautioned that only through an honest reflection will Kenya be able to confront and address its challenges.

“Our nation heroes need to be recognised and honoured when they are alive. Until our country stops being pretentious and hypocritical, then we can speak of the issues we are speaking of, like moving from a third-world country to a first-world,”he stated.

Raila was among the Mashujaa Day honourees selected through a nationwide nomination and vetting process led by the National Heroes Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior.

The exercise is guided and directed by the National Heroes Act, 2014.

Nominations came from county governments, public institutions, civil society, and ordinary citizens. Nominees were judged on their contributions to Kenya’s unity, progress, and heritage, with integrity and impact being key criteria.

National heroes

The former Prime Minister joined Mwai Kibaki, Wangari Maathai, the founding President Jomo Kenyatta, and Daniel Toroitich arap Moi , who were honoured with lifetime achievement honours albeit posthumously.

Others who were honoured for their liberation struggles include Gitu wa Kahengeri, Mwararia Emilio M’kanga, Gatabaki wa Mundati , among others.

The honours also recognised individuals in the field of theatre, Arts, Environmental conservation and climate action, Scholarship, education, and research

READ HERE: List of people to be honoured at Kitui’s Mashujaa Day 2025