Endarasha Academy pupil among 142 feted during Mashujaa Day

12-year-old Endarasha Academy pupil Luiz Ngumo with his father Paul Ngumo at Kwale Stadium in Kwale County on Sunday 20th October 2024. Luiz was one of the people feted by President William Ruto for saving his two friends during the fire incident at Endarasha Academy. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Luiz Ngumo travelled from Nyeri to Kwale to take a special position during this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations. 

Luiz,12, was the youngest hero seated among the 142 heroes and heroines who graced the Mashujaa Day celebration led by President William Ruto in Kwale Stadium. 

Flanked by his father Mr Paul Ngumo, Luiz was feted for his extraordinary act that saved two friends in a burning dormitory at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County that shook the nation. 

“I woke up when the house was full of smoke and rushed to wake up my two colleagues. I led them to safety and our teachers helped us escape through the window. I feel good about this recognition,” he said. 

Luiz was the centre of focus at the terraces reserved for heroes and heroines who did extraordinary acts in various areas. 

The Grade 7 pupil said he was called by officials from the National Heroes Council and informed about his achievement and was elated about the recognition. 

His father said he was proud of his son’s act and was happy to celebrate his bravery amid a cloud of smoke in the burning dormitory. 

Principal Secretary for Culture, Arts, and Heritage Ms Ummi Bashir said the categories in the list of heroes and heroines are liberation, freedom, sports, peacemaking, spiritual leadership, philanthropy, human rights, national cohesion and integration, arts, cultural values and practices. 

Mr Emmanuel Esekon, national Tvet ambassador, said he had travelled from Turkana county after being recognized for introducing a smart stool made from metal and plastics to replace the traditional wooden stool locally known as ‘ekicholong’ that required the felling of huge trees. 

The trained wielder said the smart stool has been part of efforts to address the effects of climate change and hence earned him a place in the national heroes and heroines list. 

“I use my Tvet skills to make the smart stool and have gained acceptance in Turkana county. Apart from training youth on Tvet, I use the opportunity to campaign against alcohol and drug abuse as well as promoting environmental conservation,” he said. 

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said the Mashujaa Day celebration benefited the region immensely with the construction of the Kwale stadium to international standard, the building of a mini-state lodge, and the tarmacking of several roads in the town on the hill. 

He said he was amazed that Kwale County has a good environment and locals had made milestones in the conservation of forests unlike in Turkana. 

“When we came here as heroes and heroines, we planted trees and I am happy that the local people here are champions of conservation,” he said. 

Another hero from Kwale County, Mr Ali Mwachausa said he had been recognized because of his role in promoting cohesion through sports. 

“I brought the youth and even the adults together through sports. I was taken through a rigorous vetting process and I am happy that my efforts were recognized,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Kwale Governor Ms Fatuma Achani said the Mashujaa Day celebration benefited the region immensely with the construction of the Kwale stadium to international standard, the building of a mini-state lodge, and the tarmacking of several roads in the town on the hill. 

She thanked the government for sending back the contractor to complete the tarmacking of the Kinango-Kwale road. 

She said the area as of late attracted many tourists after being voted the best beach destination in Africa recently.