Kenya celebrated Jamhuri Day on December 12, marking 61 years since becoming a republic.
There was a colourful celebration held at the Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, and presided over by President William Ruto.
The Head of State conferred national honours to over 500 Kenyans, and several renowned entertainment personalities made the list.
Actresses Sarah Hassan and Brenda Wairimu were honoured for their contribution to the industry and exceptional work, as was beloved Ohangla music performer Prince Indah.
While sharing the news on social media ahead of the event, Prince Indah said that this is just the beginning of a bright future.
“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for receiving the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) from the President. This honor is not just mine — it belongs to all of you, my amazing fans, who have supported me every step of the way,” the singer captioned an image of The Gazette notice with the list of awards.
The Osiepe singer added: “Your unwavering belief in me has made all of this possible. Thank you for being a part of this journey.”
Citizen Digital describes the OGW award as one “presented to persons who have done outstanding service to the country in various capacities,” while Identify Medals notes: “The recipients of the OGW are those who leave a lasting image on their fellow countrymen by putting their country first before their personal feelings and interests.”
Sarah Hassan flaunted her award through beautiful pictures shared with her 1.3 million followers. She also added the new title (OGW) on her bio, next to her name, perhaps a reflection of her understandable elatedness and appreciation for the award.
“Truly honored to have been awarded the title, Order Of The Grand Warrior (OGW) by his excellency the president,” the actress captioned a photo.
She added: “Thank you to each and every one of you for always supporting me. To the producers, cast, crew, distributors, film/TV practitioners that I’ve worked with and continue to work with, I appreciate you.”
Brenda Wairimu also shared the moments with fans on social media, posting images of the Gazette notice on her Instagram Stories, along with congratulatory messages from close friends and colleagues.
The three entertainers have undoubtedly made a mark on Kenya’s entertainment scene- the ladies having grown through the years to be household names from their skillful acting, and Prince Indah winning hearts with melodic tracks often sung in Dholuo.
Africa Creative Agency reports in a biography of Sarah Hassan that she has won multiple awards throughout her lustrous career.
“Her breakthrough came with the role of Tanya in Citizen TV’s “Tahidi High.”
The report adds: “…She continued her success by winning the Best Actress award at the Kalasha Awards in 2019 for her role in “Plan B” and securing the Best Film title at the AMVCA Awards in Nigeria in 2019 for the same film.”
She also has a production company, Alfajiri Productions, showcasing her diverse skills, in front of the camera, and behind it too.
Brenda Wairimu also has huge achievements under her belt. She has been described as an actress who has made it because of her sheer hard work and perseverance.
Actor Spaces reports: “[She] has made a remarkable impact on Kenya’s TV and film industry, while also expanding her role as a producer and TV host. Her charm and vibrant personality have won hearts across the continent. Every room lights up as she enters, radiating purpose and value.”
She told the publication about her work ethic and passion, noting that her goal is to always get better than she was last time.
“For me it’s the desire to be very good and excel in whatever I apply myself to and probably the only way to do that is practice.”
Brenda added: “…And even if I don’t get it right the first time, the beauty about it is that I get to try again and again. And most importantly my daughter inspires me to do better.”
