Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja together with his siblings on Friday received an award on behalf of their mother the late Emily Ayoti Kubasu Sakaja.
Mama Ayoti was awarded the National Heroes Award posthumously by President William Ruto.
In a statement on X, Sakaja expressed gratitude for the acknowledgement of their mother whom he described as a champion.
“Received the National Heroes Award posthumously together with my siblings, honouring the late Emily Ayoti Kubasu Sakaja. A Kenyan athletic great and our Mum. Thank you, President William Ruto, PS Ummi Bashir and the National Heroes Council for acknowledging our champion,” Sakaja said.
Sakaja’s mother was a track legend who won medals in the 100-meter sprint for Kenya in the 60's and 70's.
She was Kenya's fastest runner then. In 1971, she was the East African champion in the 200m race.
In 2021, Sakaja spoke on Churchill Show about his mother who was a government officer at the prison services.
He said his mum died when he was very young.
"My mum used to work in government, she died in 1994. I was nine years old, but we continued staying in government quarters. But in 1997, we had to move," he said.
Sakaja recalled the wonderful lady his mother was.
"Oh, my mum. My mum was a champion. She died young, she was 41. At that time, she was one of the senior ladies in the prison service at Langata Women's,” Sakaja said.
Orders, decorations and medals of Kenya are awarded by the President in recognition of outstanding or distinguished services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities.
Awards are made by the president upon the advice of a National Honours and Awards Committee in the president's office.
Individuals are nominated for awards by district committees, government ministries, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, individuals and others.
The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart is the highest honour awarded by the Kenyan government.
