President William Ruto conferred Kenya’s highest national honor, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), on former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during a ceremony at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday morning.
A prestigious award that recognizes Ban’s distinguished global leadership and his contributions to strengthening ties between Kenya and the international community.
The event, attended by notable figures including former Senegalese President Macky Sall, highlighted Ban Ki-moon’s decade-long tenure as UN Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016.
During his time at the UN, Ban championed global initiatives on climate action, sustainable development, and global peace, earning him widespread respect. His engagement with Kenya, particularly in supporting development and environmental efforts, was cited as a key reason for the honor.
President Ruto praised Ban for his exemplary service, noting his commitment to global cooperation and Kenya’s role in international diplomacy.
“As the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, your visionary leadership brought climate change to the forefront of the global agenda, beginning with the 2007 Climate Change Summit. Your efforts galvanized international action that remains critical as Africa confronts the harsh realities of a changing climate,” Ruto said during the ceremony.
Notably, the award coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) dual headquarters in Nairobi, an institution Ban co-founded to advance climate resilience in vulnerable countries.
“We are proud to host the GCA’s Africa headquarters in Nairobi, reaffirming our commitment to climate resilience and adaptive strategies that secure our future,” Ruto said.
Ban Ki-moon expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing Kenya’s growing influence on the global stage. “I am deeply honored to receive this award and will continue to support Kenya’s aspirations for peace and sustainable development,” he remarked.
Ban further highlighted the significance of Nairobi, noting the new GCA headquarters is the first of its kind to be co-hosted between the Global North (Rotterdam) and the Global South (Nairobi).
The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart is Kenya’s highest civilian honor, reserved for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the nation or humanity at large. The conferment underscores Kenya’s commitment to celebrating global leaders who align with its values and aspirations.
– By Jeremiah Richu
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