NAIROBI – Northern Kenya posted one of its strongest performances in recent years during the 2025 Jamhuri Day State Honours on Friday.
The region secured a notable share of national recognition across multiple categories.
The honours, published in the Kenya Gazette, featured more than 1,000 Kenyans drawn from leadership, security, academia, community service and public administration.
Among them were at least 85 individuals from the northern counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu and Turkana.
The recognition is milestone for a region that has often been underrepresented in national awards.
The list of honourees shows a strong showing in the upper categories of the Order of the Burning Spear.
Northern Kenya leaders such as Mr. Chute Mohamed Said (Senator for Marsabit County), Mr. Rasso Dido Ali (MP Saku), Maj. Gen. Gula Jattani Kampare and Mrs. Lesuuda Josephine Naisula (Samburu West constituency) were feted with the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).
Several others, including Brig. Mohamud Omar, Mohamed Ugas Sheikh, Wario Roba Bonaya and Abdalla Hassan Siyad, earned the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) for exemplary national service.
The region also had a prominent presence in the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) category, where senior commanders, administrators, scholars and community leaders were recognised.
Beyond the top-tier awards, Northern Kenya was well represented in the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), which featured recipients such as Mr. Salat Muktar Billow, CP Weye Adan Alio, Dr. Yusuf Swalhah Ibrahim and Turkana’s Enyaman John Lokure.
The Silver Star honour also included officers from Wajir, Mandera and Garissa who were feted for their contribution to national security efforts.
In the Head of State Commendation categories — both military and civilian — the region registered strong numbers.
Military honourees included CP Abdikadir Yakub Abdirashid, Cpl. Bishar Abdille Ahmed and Col. Kofa Asma Diramo.
The civilian category featured Mr. Hussein Abdirashid Adan, Ali Fuad Abdalla, Haji Galma Dido, Olechurai Satima Jones and several others who have played vital roles in governance, peacebuilding, social welfare and grassroots development.
In total, Northern Kenya accounted for roughly 8% of all honourees nationally — a substantial figure given the region’s historical challenges and demographic size.
Suleiman Said, a governance expert, said the wide spread of recipients across all seven counties reflects increasing visibility, growing leadership capacity and the expanding impact of northern professionals in national spaces.
“It also marks a moment of pride for communities that continue to shape Kenya’s security, humanitarian response, political leadership and cultural identity,” he added.
He said recognition of these men and women as the country commemorates Jamhuri Day, signals a broader acknowledgement of Northern Kenya’s contribution to national development.
Mr. Said said it also reinforces the importance of inclusive representation in state honours, ensuring that every region’s service is celebrated and remembered.
