During the 2023 Mashujaa Day celebrations, a total of 157 heroes and heroines were honored. Among them were prominent figures like Faith Kipyegon, a Double World Champion who made history by breaking three world records this year.
She triumphed in the 1,500 and 5,000-meter races, becoming the first woman to secure titles in both events in Budapest, Hungary, and Paris, France. Additionally, she set a mile world record at the Monaco Diamond League on July 21, 2023.
Kelvin Kiptum, the World Marathon record holder, was also recognized for his remarkable achievement during the Chicago marathon, where he became the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours and one minute.
Kiptum’s feats include winning three marathons, including two prestigious World Marathon Majors, between December 2022 and October 2023, securing three of the top six times ever recorded.
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Other distinguished athletes celebrated during Mashujaa Day Celebrations included Naftali Temu, a legendary figure who clinched Kenya’s first gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, and Johnstone Kipkoech, who shattered the world record in the 3,000 Metres steeplechase in 1994.
Beyond the realm of athletics, President William Ruto also paid tribute to individuals across 14 categories, encompassing National Cohesion and Integration, environmental conservation, indigenous knowledge, arts, entrepreneurship, statesmanship, professional research, and liberation struggle.
Additional categories included human rights, philanthropy, peace-making, cultural values and practices, and spiritual leadership. This event showcased the diverse and profound contributions of these remarkable Kenyans.
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