Retired athletes want counties to assist National Heroes Council to ensure the right people are being identified for recognition across the country.
Speaking in Eldoret during the NHC Stakeholders workshop, former athletes led by former world 3,000m steeplechase record holder, Moses Kiptanui and former 400m All Africa Games champion Tecla Sang said consultation will be key if the right sportsmen and women are to be honoured.
Kiptanui, who is also a three-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion, lamented that people who have brought fame in Kenya have been neglected across the board.
He said he lives in three counties— Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia —where he has employed over 300 workers in various disciplines. “In all these three counties, I have only been honoured by Elgeyo Marakwet who gave me an electric kettle, which I am happy with.
"When we talk of heroes, there are so many in this country but devolution of the exercise will make it easy to reach and identify them,” said Kiptanui.
He said it is tricky to have only people in Nairobi come up with the list of heroes and heroines because they have little clue of what is happing at the grassroots.
Sang, who was one of the youngest members of Team Kenya at the 1968 Olympic Games, said she was humbled to be part of the group spearheading the strategic plan of heroes and heroines in the country.
“The only way to be remembered is to have a Hall of Fame in counties, where there are heroes. Of course, we will have to decide how long one is supposed to be recognised,” said Sang.
She said for the county to identify their own heroes, they need one of their own to help in the coordination, especially Uasin Gishu, where there are so many sportsmen and women.
The council's deputy director in charge of monuments and heroes, David Mbuthia, said their aim is to get views and opinions on how best they can identify and honour the heroes.