Kenyan Diaspora Urged to Join Public Consultations on National Heroes

The Kenyan government has invited members of the diaspora to contribute to a public consultation on the national honours system.

The National Heroes Council, under the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, is leading the review of Kenya’s honours framework. Established under the Kenya Heroes Act No. 5 of 2014, the Council is responsible for identifying and recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to the country in areas such as liberation, culture, science, sports, governance, and community service.

To promote transparency, the Council has published a list of proposed honourees on its official website, www.heroes.go.ke. Members of the public are encouraged to submit objections, supported by affidavits, via email to ceo@heroes.go.ke no later than 30 September 2025. The process aims to ensure broad participation, particularly from Kenyans abroad, whose views reflect a global perspective on national service.

Separately, the Russian government has opened applications for 70 fully funded scholarships available to Kenyan students at undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. The programme is coordinated by Rossotrudnichestvo, Russia’s agency for international humanitarian cooperation, and includes tuition-free study across various disciplines.

Applications opened on 15 September through the official portal education-in-russia.com. Required documents include academic transcripts, proof of prior education, and a scanned copy of a valid passport. Postgraduate applicants must also submit a motivation letter and a research essay relevant to their chosen field. 

Applicants must click “Send request for verification” to complete the process, as drafts will not be reviewed. Only foreign nationals are eligible. Russian dual citizens may apply only if they live permanently outside Russia and have not previously studied at a Russian institution. The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has emphasised that incomplete applications will not be considered. A dedicated hotline, +7 985 870-21-27, is available for enquiries.