History is set to be made in this year's Mashujaa Day as a woman will lead the Guard of Honour for the first time in the Republic of Kenya.
Not just any woman though, because the individual tasked with this prestigious task is none other than the revered Lieutenant Colonel Faith Mwagandi.
"During today’s Mashujaa Day 2024 celebrations, a notable highlight will be the presence of the Guard of Honor (GoH) commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Faith Mwagandi, marking a historic moment," Kenya Defence Forces revealed in a statement.
Mwagandi's selection to lead the GoH makes sense since she possesses a wealth of experience and troops for the GoH are typically drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), namely the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy.
After succeeding in High School at Moi Girls Eldoret with straight A's, Lt. Col. Mwagandi was keen on pursuing a career in medicine. She, however, took up a general degree course, an academic endeavour that would last only weeks before she decided to take a chance as a cadet in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Her journey in the force began in 2007 when she joined the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet. Over time, she attained a diploma in Military Science and would later after attain another degree from Egerton University.
As a Lieutenant, Mwagandi did not stop there. She pursued extensive practical application of naval training, leadership, command, and management abroad before returning to Kenya in 2010 and taking up the role of an instructor at the Kenya Navy Training School.
Notably, the coastal native became the first woman to command a warship in Kenya, She currently serves as Staff Officer 1 (SO1) in charge of Personnel and Administration at the Kenya Navy.
Meanwhile, at least 142 heroes are set to be feted during Mashujaa Day across 14 different categories including sports, statesmanship, philanthropy, and indigenous cultures. According to Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir, nominees are selected based on their extraordinary acts which have changed lives in one way or the other in the society of which they are part.
“A final list of names of persons confirmed as qualified to be declared as heroes is forwarded to the President for declaration in the Kenya Gazette as one being a national hero,” Bashir said.
The heroes are selected after a thorough vetting exercise, with President William Ruto set to unveil them at the newly constructed Kwale Stadium.
Plans are underway to activate The Heroes Fund in the near future, which will chime in for heroes who need financial assistance. The government's main strategy is to push for the allocation of resources which will help the heroes go about their day-to-day lives.
