Joseph Gikonyo Mukinyi may not be a household name today, but 32 years ago, he was a national hero. Similar to what Omonyala did a few days ago, he wrote history by winning both the 100 and 200 meters titles at the Africa Senior Athletics Championship in Cairo in 1990. Omanyala, 32 years later in Mauritius, rewrote history, emulating the legendary Joseph Gikonyo.

Born on 7th February 1965 at Ihwagi Village, Mathira, Nyeri County, the legendary 100 m and 200 m champion has long retired from athletics. He currently engages in small-scale horticulture farming and cattle rearing.

In his active years in athletics, Joseph Gikonyo did our country proud; he lifted our flag high on several occasions. In 1990, he won 2 gold medals in the Senior African Championships -in 1991 at African Games he bagged a Bronze medal - in 1995 he brought home 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal from the East African Championships as well as a Bronze medal from African Games. In total, the former champion has won seven medals from international fêtes, 4, 1 and 2 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals respectively. He also participated in the 1994 Commonwealth Games and Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia, the USA in 1996 where he finished at position 5 in the first heat.

We need to honour our heroes, people who at one time or another have done us proud, lifting our flag high in the international arena and also bringing the country together in celebration of their victory. Joseph Gikonyo in the early and mid-1990s did exactly that. We should not forget, let's honour him. The County Government of Nyeri should recognize their son, and honour him like other legends that the great region has produced. Kindly support this petition. Let it reach the concerned parties.

Thank you.
Anthony Munyua