Jamia Mosque SG Abdul Bary Hamid and Mombasa governor Abdulswamad named among national heroes

Jamia Mosque secretary general Abdul Bary Hamid, Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir, media personality Mwanahamisi Hamadi, and the CEO of Hass Petroleum Mohamud Salat are among notable Muslim personalities as the country’s national heroes.

They are among a list of 180 Kenyans who have been selected for the awards to be conferred by President William Ruto during this year’s Mashujaa celebrations on October 20.

The proposed names cut across categories that include liberation struggle, entrepreneurship and industry, human rights, philanthropy, and the creative economy.

The recognition will see the individuals formally recognized for their courage, sacrifice, and service to the country. Honouring the country’s heroes is part of the mandate of the National Heroes Council, which provides for the identification, selection, and honoring of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country.

Abdul Bary Hamid has been recognized for his commitment to serve the public through various community service and philanthropic initiatives. “As the Secretary General of Jamia Mosque Nairobi, he has spearheaded a remarkable array of humanitarian projects, including the provision of housing for displaced families, the provision of wheelchairs to physically challenged persons, as well as food and medicare for the needy,” the council said in a statement.

The Mombasa governor, Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir will be honoured for his transformative leadership in public service and governance. “His administration has pioneered impactful social programs, including bursary initiatives and key investments in primary healthcare,” said the council, which recognized his contribution to global urban development platforms such as the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI), the Bloomberg Harvard Leadership Initiative, and the Incheon Smart City Alliance, positioning Mombasa as a model for innovation and city diplomacy.

In the national heroes list, the Group CEO of Hass Petroleum, Salat Mohamud Mohamed has been recognized for his exceptional leadership in entrepreneurship and industry, which has driven the expansion of the company's operations in 10 African countries, creating thousands of jobs and attracting major investments. “He is committed to empowering local talent and inclusive growth, while championing clean energy through electric vehicle charging stations and autogas fueling,” the statement further said.

In the category of entrepreneurship and industry, Fatma Abubakar Abdalla El Maawy from Lamu will be recognized for her outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, ethical business, and community empowerment. As a master trainer, Fatma has equipped startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), universities and marginalized groups with skills for growth and self-reliance locally and regionally.

Others who will be recognized for their outstanding contribution towards the nation are Shukri Baramadi, the chairman of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) whose service in the public sector saw him playing a significant role in modernization and security initiatives that strengthened Kenya’s strategic trade gateways and Omar Shuria Abdi, a career civil servant who, through his 45-year career as a civil servant, demonstrated outstanding leadership, policy expertise, and dedication to improving the National Police Service.

In the category of scholarship, professionalism, and research, Dr. Majid Mbarak Warshow, a cardiologist based at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi will also be recognized for his contribution to medical professionalism, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care, which has advanced healthcare delivery in the country.

In the same category, media personality Mwanahamisi Hamadi will be honoured for highlights the efforts of ordinary Kenyan women in entrepreneurship, innovation and community leadership through the Citizen Television programme, Mwanamke Bomba. “Mwanahamisi is being honoured for her professionalism as a seasoned TV anchor who recognizes Kenyan women who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and innovation in various areas of influence against all odds,” said the council.

Also on the list of honours is Harambee Stars captain Omar Aboud who will be recognized for leading the national football team to the quarter finals of the 2024 African Nations Champions (CHAN) tournament.

In the category of national cohesion and Integration, Safia Saro Guyo from Marsabit will be recognized for her efforts to reduce inter-ethnic conflict and build trust and mutual respect among diverse communities, while Mohamed Hassan Hamadi, the head of outreach at Jamii Action Centre will be feted for his role in championing youth mentorship, peacebuilding, and resilience in Kwale County.

Also to be honoured is Fatuma Ibrahim Hakar, will being feted for her outstanding contributions to the defence of human rights.

Yunis Ibrahim Sheikh from Wajir County has been recognized for his contribution to environmental conservation. He has been spearheading the Eldas Afforestation and Greenification Programme that has seen the planting of over 1 million trees in Eldas over the last 5 years, resulting in reducing the negative effects of climate change and increased economic opportunities for the traditionally nomadic community of Eldas.

Yasmin Mohammed Nassur from Kibera slums who will be honoured for championing and advocating women and girls empowerment programmes. During the COVID-19 pandemic she innovated a pad dispenser out of a used water jerrycan providing easy and sustainable access to period products for adolescent girls and young women.

Also on the list is Rahma Gulam Abbas a human rights advocate who has empowered gender-based violence survivors; Suleiman Hamisi Dzole, who has promoted impactful initiatives that promote women empowerment and marginalized groups; and Shimsia Abdullahi Hassan who will be honoured for her commitment to promoting the rights and dignity of marginalized groups.

In addition, Yunis Abdullahi Matker will be recognised for his role in documentation and digitization of indigenous knowledge.

In the category of liberation struggle, Haji Galma Dido will be honoured posthumously for his contribution during the independence struggle in Northern Kenya. Haji Galma was assassinated together with the first Isiolo District Commissioner, Daudi Dabaso Wabera while on a peace mission to Sericho, Isiolo.

Also to be honoured posthumously is Tusmo Ibrahim Ogle, a civic education and mental health advocacy who was recognized for her philanthropic leadership in youth development across Northern Kenya. “Her efforts have uplifted countless lives and created lasting change, driven by a selfless commitment to others,” said the council.

The Kenya Heroes Act No.5 of 2014 identifies heroes as persons who have positively contributed selflessly and sacrificed for the country in any of the following 14 categories: liberation struggle, spiritual leadership, indigenous knowledge, cultural values and practices, arts, sports, scholarship professionalism and research, peace-making, statesmanship, entrepreneurship and industry, philanthropy, human rights, national cohesion and integration, and environmental conservation.