E-Sir, Jua Cali, and Clemmo Among Icons Celebrated for Shaping Kenya’s Culture

This year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County paid tribute to some of Kenya’s most celebrated authors, filmmakers, musicians, and producers.

The National Heroes Council, which proposed this year’s theme, chose to shine a light on the creative minds who continue to shape Kenya’s cultural identity, including how the nation tells its stories, sings its songs, and expresses its unique artistic vision.

Among the honorees was Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, celebrated as a literary icon whose novels, essays, and plays transformed not only Kenya’s literary landscape but also the broader conversation around identity, culture, and language.

“Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was one of Africa’s most prominent writers and intellectuals, renowned for his contributions to literature, postcolonial thought, and advocacy for linguistic decolonization. In the 1970s, he made a pivotal shift, abandoning English for his native Kikuyu and adopting his traditional name, a decision rooted in his belief that language is a crucial aspect of identity and cultural freedom,” the National Heroes Council stated.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o passed away on May 28, 2025, shortly after releasing his final book, “Decolonizing Language.” His legacy continues to inspire generations of African writers and thinkers committed to reclaiming their voices and celebrating indigenous expression.

E-Sir Honoured as a Shujaa

More than two decades after his tragic death, Issah Mmari Wangui, popularly known as E-Sir, has been posthumously recognised as one of Kenya’s national heroes during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.

E-Sir remains one of the most influential rappers in Kenya’s history, a pioneer whose artistry proved that Kenyan youth could define their own sound and thrive on the global stage.

“He rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of the leading artists in Kenya’s burgeoning hip-hop scene, which was heavily influenced by the blending of local Swahili lyrics with contemporary beats,” the National Heroes Council said in its citation. “E-Sir’s music resonated deeply with the youth, as he captured everyday struggles, urban life, and the aspirations of his generation. Through his music, he captured the essence of urban Kenyan life in a way that few others have achieved.”

Jua Cali and Clemmo Celebrate Genge Legacy

The ceremony also honoured Paul Julius Nunda (Jua Cali) and Clement Rapudo (Clemo), the creative masterminds behind Calif Records and the Genge music movement that shaped a generation.

Their distinctive street-inspired sound brought Eastlands slang into mainstream culture, giving Nairobi’s youth a powerful new form of self-expression in the early 2000s.

Ted Josiah Honoured for RnB Influence

Ted Josiah, one of the pioneers behind Kenya’s urban music revolution, was also celebrated during this year’s Mashujaa Day festivities.

His early production work with rising artists in the late 1990s laid the groundwork for what would evolve into Kenya’s unique blend of R&B and hip-hop.

“Tedd Josiah was honoured on Mashujaa Day for pioneering Kenya’s modern urban music sound. He created a distinct musical identity that blends contemporary beats with Kenyan cultural influences, shaping the nation’s music landscape,” the National Heroes Council said.

Below is the full list of creatives honoured during this year’s celebrations:

Living Heroes

Martin Ndirui Munyua – Creator of Ms. President series, championing women’s leadership through film.
Hellen Wambura Mwangi – Filmmaker promoting Kauma culture and youth storytelling.
Matthew Onyango Ondiege – Pioneer of inclusive dance and mentor to emerging artists.
Michael Manduku Daudi – Artist transforming plastic waste into art and innovation.
Nahashon Mukhwaya Nabwayo (Shikwekwe) – Veteran actor and comedian tackling social issues through performance.
Elizabeth Awor Obege – Veteran broadcaster who inspired generations of women in media.
Peter Ouma Nyadawa – Music and drama coach who elevated performing arts in Northern Kenya.
Faith Nziva Kithele – Veteran gospel musician whose songs shaped Kenya’s gospel music landscape.
Justus Ngemu – Composer and advocate for artists’ rights and fair industry practices.
Ted Josiah – Pioneering producer who defined Kenya’s modern urban sound.
John Okumu (Wuod Fibi) – Producer behind modern Ohangla and mentor to many Luo artists.
Clement Rapudo Sijenyi (Clemo) – Co-founder of Calif Records and Genge music trailblazer.
Paul Julius Nunda (Jua Cali) – Iconic rapper and co-founder of Calif Records who helped shape Kenyan urban music.
Bosco Mulwa – Kamba Benga musician blending traditional and modern rhythms.
Prof. John Geoffrey Mugubi – Film scholar and dean who institutionalized creative arts education in Kenya.

Posthumous Recognitions

Dr. Henry Miyinzi Chakava – Visionary publisher who promoted African literature on the global stage.
Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o – Kenya’s foremost author and advocate for indigenous languages.
Daniel Owino Misiani – Founder of Benga music and a cultural icon whose songs carried political weight.
Fundi Konde – Kenya’s first popular recording artist and electric guitarist.
Issah Mmari Wangui (E-Sir) – Revolutionary rapper whose lyrical brilliance redefined Kenyan urban music.
William Osundwa Wasike – Celebrated choral singer and longtime member of the Muungano Choir.