The Star newspaper is set to unveil the “Star Person of the Year” tomorrow, Friday, after nomination window closed a month ago.
Ten nominees were shortlisted and from them, the winner will be declared.
The award is a sought-after fete which recognises an individual or leader whose consistent work has impacted people positively.
It also recognises ordinary people or opinion shapers who have done the most within the year to positively influence lives.
The paper has been running the awards since 2018.
The awards committee outlined four beacons to guide in nominating and choosing the winner.
The selected awardee must have been engaging in activities to make Kenya or their community a better place.
Must have greatly inspired or helped fellow citizens.
He or she must have invented a solution that has dramatically changed lives and the person with the qualities of honesty and integrity.
The public was encouraged to nominate a person working to engender good governance and social justice.
This has been a historic year in its own right, especially in areas of governance, rule of law and constitutionalism.
The Star political editor Felix Olick, who also chairs the award’s committee, asked Kenyans to nominate the best.
Olick said so much has happened this year with some events having huge impacts on the country.
He said persons behind the events can also be good candidates for recognition.
“This year has been unprecedented in many ways in Kenya’s history. From the Gen Z protests that nearly brought the country to its knees, to the flooding that wrecked havoc throughout the country, a lot has happened in 11 months,” Olick said.
“However, despite the many challenges, there are valiant men and women, in different spheres who have made a difference in the lives of other Kenyans.”
Star news editor Jillo Kadida says the award does not just recognise outstanding contribution by people, but also encourage them to double down in the new year.
“The award is our way of celebrating heroes who go above and beyond to change lives of people whether in philanthropy or coming up with innovations that bring change, or people who in governance fight for what is right, just and serve with integrity,” she said.
“Those people deserve to be celebrated and seen and that’s what in our own small way we intend to achieve with this award.”
Wambui Nyutu, the current vice chairperson at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the youngest-ever constitutional commissioner in the country, bagged the award in 2022.
