The legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga could soon receive formal national recognition after the National Heroes Council included him among 242 Kenyans proposed to be honoured as national heroes.
Raila has been put forward posthumously under the statesmanship category, alongside the late former Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Laboso and the late journalist and political activist Pio Gama Pinto.
The nominations form part of a process established under the Kenya Heroes Act No. 5 of 2014, which assigns the National Heroes Council the role of identifying, selecting and facilitating the recognition of people who have made notable contributions to the country.
Raila, who died in October 2025, has been nominated because of his contribution to statesmanship.
Laboso, who also died after a career in public service, has been proposed for her work in good governance, transformative development and the promotion of devolution.
Her political career began in Parliament, where she represented Sotik Constituency from 2008 until 2017. She later became one of the first women to be elected governor in Kenya after winning the Bomet gubernatorial election in 2017.
Before and during her time in public leadership, Laboso held other important positions, including Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
Between 2013 and 2014, she served as the pioneer African woman Co-President of the African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
The National Heroes Council said the former governor left behind a legacy that continues to motivate generations seeking better governance and leadership that brings development.
Pinto has also been included among the proposed honourees. The journalist, political activist and socialist thinker of Goan-Kenyan heritage is being considered for his role in Kenya’s liberation struggle, democratic development and the fight for social justice.
His work as a journalist went beyond reporting, with the council saying he used the profession to advance political mobilisation, workers’ rights, equality, socialism and opposition to colonial rule.
The council said Pinto’s firm commitment to those causes influenced generations of journalists, activists and other citizens.
The statesmanship category also includes Ambassador Amina Mohamed, former Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai and Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr Kamau Thugge.
Mohamed has been proposed for her record in national and international leadership, diplomacy and public administration.
She has served as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Education, Science and Technology, as well as Sports, Culture and Heritage.
Her international experience includes serving as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. She has also represented Kenya as Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as the country’s representative to the World Trade Organisation.
Muigai has been nominated for his role in advancing democracy, constitutional change and legal reforms.
He was a Commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission between 2000 and 2005, taking part in the constitutional review process that later resulted in the 2010 Constitution.
He went on to serve as Attorney General from 2011 to 2018, during which time he contributed to the promotion of constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Thugge has been proposed in recognition of his contribution to economic governance, stability of the currency and public service.
The council said his work as Central Bank Governor has included efforts to strengthen the country’s economic stability and ability to withstand financial pressures.
It added that his leadership has helped maintain confidence in the banking sector and support sustainable economic growth.
The proposed list has now been placed before the public, with the National Heroes Council giving Kenyans an opportunity to examine the names and raise concerns about any of the nominations.
The council said it had made the names of the 242 nominees and short descriptions of their achievements available on its website to facilitate public review.
Kenyans who believe a proposed honouree does not deserve national recognition have been invited to formally raise their concerns.
“Members of the public who are of the opinion that any person proposed to be honoured is not deserving of such recognition are hereby invited to submit any objections and representations,” the council said.
The exercise is being conducted under Section 23 of the Kenya Heroes Act, which requires public participation before national heroes are formally recognised.