A 14-year-old girl identified as Mary Mokaya who paid the ultimate sacrifice while rescuing her fellow students during the deadly fire that killed girls at Moi Girls School in Nairobi was today honoured by the State as a hero.
According to Citizen News, President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his Mashujaa Day speech paid homage to Mokaya saying “may her name and her example of selflessness, be a shining example to us all.”
“Daily, we see acts of heroism; let us celebrate them today. We remember Mary Mokaya, who saved fellow students from the Moi Girls’ fire, at the cost of her own life. May God rest her soul and that of her colleagues, in eternal peace,” said the head of state.
“Mary’s actions during that tragedy provide poignant lessons for us to reflect upon at this moment in our nation’s history. At the tender age of 14, she sacrificed for the sake of others. Mary’s great act and courage will forever be engraved in our hearts.”
The president announced plans to establish a heroes council which will be responsible “for identifying and coming up with solutions to issues of welfare and support our heroes and heroines.”
In a report by Nairobi News, her act was hailed by the survivors who thanked her for waking them up and ending up with 66 per cent burns.
Mary, sustained 66 per cent burns during the tragedy and succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Others who were recognized during the national celebrations include Joseph Kyalo Karissa who donated 2 acres of family land for the construction of Jimba Water Plant which now serves 5,000 people and over 40,000 livestock with reliable water supply.
Nobel Laureate and environmental and political activist Professor Wangari Mathai, academic professor and political writer Professor Ali Mazrui and the country’s sportsmen and women were also recognized for their work in the country.
This year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations comes seven years after the promulgation of the new constitution which renamed what was previously known as Kenyatta Day to Mashujaa Day in honour of Kenyan heroes.