This year’s Mashujaa Day presided over by President William Ruto at the Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui county, recognised the steps some of Kenya’s most famous authors, filmmakers, musicians and producers.
Proposed by the National Heroes Council, this year’s celebrations turned its spotlight on the people who’ve been shaping how we tell our stories, sound, sing, and see ourselves.
KBC Broadcaster honoured
Veteran broadcaster Elizabeth Awor Obege, a familiar voice and face to many Kenyans who grew up with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), was among those feted for her long and influential career.
Obege’s calm authority and graceful delivery shaped news broadcasting for decades, mentoring countless young journalists who would go on to lead in both radio and television.
In a statement, the National Heroes Council said: “Elizabeth (..) was honoured for her long-standing commitment to broadcasting in Kenya. As a veteran broadcaster at KBC, she broke barriers in a male-dominated industry through her talent, creativity, and expertise. Her work not only entertained audiences but also informed and educated them on critical societal issues.”
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o honoured posthumously
Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was honoured at this year’s ceremony as a literary titan whose novels, essays, and plays changed not just Kenya’s literary scene, but the very way we think about identity and language.
“Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, was one of Africa’s most prominent writers and intellectuals, renowned for his contributions to literature, postcolonial thought, and advocacy for linguistic decolonization. In the 1970s, he made a pivotal shift, abandoning English for his native Kikuyu and adopting his traditional name, a decision rooted in his belief that language is a crucial aspect of identity and cultural freedom,” the National Heroes Council said.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o died on May 28 2025 after publishing his most recent book “Decolonizing Language.”
E-Sir recognised as Shujaa
More than 20 years after his untimely death, Issah Mmari Wangui, better known as E-Sir, remains one of Kenya’s most beloved rappers.
E-Sir’s legacy goes beyond the beats; he showed that Kenyan youth could own their sound and compete on the global stage.
“He rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of the leading artists in Kenya’s burgeoning hip-hop scene, which was heavily influenced by the blending of local Swahili lyrics with contemporary beats,” the national council of heroes said in their statement. “E-Sir’s music resonated deeply with the youth, as he captured everyday struggles, urban life, and the aspirations of his generation. Through his music, he captured the essence of urban Kenyan life in a way that few others have achieved.”
Jua Cali and Clemmo for Genge
Two other names stood out in the musical section, Clement Rapudo (Clemo) and Paul Julius Nunda (Jua Cali), the creative forces behind Calif Records and the Genge music movement that defined a generation.
Their raw, street sound put Eastlands slang on the map and gave young people a new language for self-expression in the early 2000s.
Ted Josiah recognised for Kenya’s adoption of the RnB sound
Ted Josiah, another pioneer of Kenya’s urban music revolution was also feted at this year’s celebrations.
Josiah’s early production work with emerging artists in the late 1990s laid the foundation for what would become Kenya’s distinct R&B and hip-hop scene.
“Tedd Josiah was honoured on Mashujaa Day for pioneering Kenya’s modern urban music sound. He created a distinct musical identity that blends contemporary beats with Kenyan cultural influences, shaping the nation’s music landscape,” the National Heroes council said.
Read the full list of creatives honoured below:
Living
- Martin Ndirui Munyua – Creator of Ms. President series; promotes women’s leadership through film.
- Hellen Wambura Mwangi – Filmmaker spotlighting Kauma culture and youth storytelling.
- Matthew Onyango Ondiege – Pioneer of inclusive dance and mentor to young artists.
- Michael Manduku Daudi – Artist turning plastic waste into valuable art and innovation.
- Nahashon Mukhwaya Nabwayo (Shikwekwe) – Veteran actor and comedian highlighting social issues.
- Elizabeth Awor Obege – Veteran broadcaster who inspired generations of women in media.
- Peter Ouma Nyadawa – Music and drama coach who elevated performance arts in Northern Kenya.
- Faith Nziva Kithele – Veteran gospel musician whose songs shaped Kenya’s gospel scene.
- Justus Ngemu – Composer and advocate for artists’ rights and fair industry practices.
- Ted Josiah – Pioneer producer who shaped Kenya’s modern urban sound.
- John Okumu (Wuod Fibi) – Producer behind modern Ohangla; mentor to many Luo artists.
- Clement Rapudo Sijenyi (Clemo) – Co-founder of Calif Records; Genge music pioneer.
- Paul Julius Nunda (Jua Cali) – Iconic rapper and co-founder of Calif Records shaping Kenyan urban music.
- Bosco Mulwa – Kamba Benga musician blending traditional and modern rhythms.
- Prof. John Geoffrey Mugubi – Dean and film scholar who institutionalized creative arts education in Kenya.
Posthumous
- Dr. Henry Miyinzi Chakava – Pioneering publisher who promoted African literature globally.
- Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o – Kenya’s foremost author and advocate for indigenous languages.
- Daniel Owino Misiani – Founder of Benga music; cultural and political music icon.
- Fundi Konde – Kenya’s first popular recording artist and electric guitarist.
- Issah Mmari Wangui (E-Sir) – Revolutionary rapper whose lyrical talent redefined urban music.
- William Osundwa Wasike – Celebrated choral singer and longtime member of Muungano Choir.
