Namibia is planning to award a Kenyan with the second highest honour in the country for services rendered during liberation struggle.
General (rtd) Daniel Opande is set be decorate for peacekeeping service rendered to the once war-hit country.
In October, the retired general’s name featured when Namibian President Hage Geinob met President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Namibia is preparing to award the retired general with the second highest honour as part of appreciation for the sacrifice and contribution he made, along with other Kenyan soldiers, towards Namibia’s liberation struggle.
“When the president mentioned my name, I felt honoured and humbled. While in Namibia, I did my job as a soldier and I did not expect to be rewarded later,” Opande told the Standard.
According to the general, his squad was the second African team to be sent for peace keeping mission in 1960s.
In December 2007, he came face to face with the grim reality of post-election violence which mirrored the situation that was going on in most countries he was serving under UN in peace missions.
He consequently helped in the formation of Concerned Citizens for Peace Group meant to encourage for dialogue on pertinent issues.
The 75-year-old is currently working on his autobiography which documents every experience he had as military officer.
Opande boasts of numerous souvenirs and awards given by various countries while serving in the United Nations.
“I was celebrated at the hall of fame at the National Defense University (NDU) in United States, awarded presidential medal by Liberia and prestigious awards by the Kenyan government.”
