President Kenyatta: In honour of all the heroes, the past, the present and the future, I wish to honour Kipchoge with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (EGH).
President Kenyatta: One of our greatest heroes, Prof Wangari Maathai, told us the story of the hummingbird that sought out to put out a fire, one drop at a time. We must do the best that we can even though it may seem insignificant to others, one day it shall amount to much. Eliud Kipchoge, who is alive and with us, has shown that we can achieve the impossible.
President Kenyatta: As a nation of heroes, may each one us commit to being an instrument of peace, to give hope where there is despair.
President Kenyatta: All our world religions demand that we improve ourselves and make better the world around us. For us Kenyans, we are prayerful, a nation of one people and many faiths, whose diversity is our main strength.
President Kenyatta: Let us all remain committed to the race. In each of us, lies the seeds of greatness. Every Kenyan should plant that seed in the fertile soil of integrity, in the light of truth and justice.
President Kenyatta: It falls upon you, Kuajibika ni ushujaa. Be a hero in every thing you do, in every word and action. Our attitude will determine whether we shall achieve goals articulated in Vision 2030, which is reflected in the Big 4 Agenda.
President Kenyatta: The Kenyan story continues to be one, of heroism, of surmounting challenges...Today every Kenyan should commit to being a Shujaaa. Be a Good Samaritan. Go out into your local community and find ways into which you can make a difference, no matter how small it seems.
President Kenyatta: We also honour all the journalists who report the truth to power and who reject brown journalism.
President Kenyatta: Mashujaa like our national team who represented our country in Doha and finished at an impressive second in world ranking. I must mention two who have made us very proud in the world stage: Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei, who smashed a marathon world record. Eliud Kipchoge achieved the unthinkable feat of running a full marathon in under two hours. We have in our presence, a living legend, who is an inspiration of not only Kenyans but also the entire planet. His achievement reminds us never to limit ourselves to the ordinary.
President Kenyatta: We are proud that some judges and magistrates expeditiously who have been brave in the fight against corruption.
President Kenyatta: A Shujaa picks the hard and difficult route to do better.
President Kenyatta: Fellow Kenyans, a real Shujaa pays his or her taxes promptly without coercion. A Shujaa is not an innocent bystander, non-committal, instead, the speak boldly. A Shujaa, understands that the family is the basic unit of the nation and understand the value of being a good father.
President Kenyatta: Of course, we are fortunate to have many acts of might and sacrifice that fit perfectly with our own tradition of heroism, the spirit of Mekatilili wa Menza lives on in women who fight retrogressive attitudes. The spirit of Koitalel arap Samoei lives on in our police officers. Dedan Kimathi's spirit courses through the blood of our Kenya Defense Forces who defend our land.
President Kenyatta: We prevailed upon a world power while armed only with our courage.
President Kenyatta: Fellow Kenyans, we live in a world where we are told the age of heroes has passed and that we pail in comparison to those who have passed on. We must reject this view that Kenya's best days are behind us.
President Kenyatta: We honour the Kenyans called to serve the world, in the diaspora, who continue to support millions of Kenyans in the homeland.
President Kenyatta: We celebrate teachers like Peter Tabichi whose sacrifice and dedication led to his recognition as the world's best teacher.
President Kenyatta: Today, we celebrate our teachers from early childhood development instructors who first receive our children.
President Kenyatta: Many of your sons and daughters have brought glory and honour to Kenya as scientists, trade unionists, dependable military generals, civil servants, political leaders. I am proud to proclaim that the legacy of our forefathers is alive because of you. Today, we celebrate all men and women who helped make Kenya an independent nation.
President Kenyatta: The sons and daughters of this region have made enormous contribution to this nation. From Mekatilili wa Menza, you've contributed immensely to the nation.
President Kenyatta: Our strategy to harness our maritime resources is top of our agenda...It is in pursuit of the blue economy that we have moved to repossess all landing sites that had been taken illegally.
