VIDEO: Governor Alfred Mutua wins Best Governor of the Year in Africa award in a Nigeria gala event

Dr. Alfred Mutua was nominated the "Best Governor of the Year" for 2021 during the second edition of the prestigious Africa Illustrious Award gala held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria on Thursday 9th December 2021. The colourful event was attended by distinguished leaders from across the African continent, government officials and media personalities. Dr. Mutua was accompanied by Narok County senator Ole kina Ledama. 

The Africa Illustrious award, established in 2020 and managed by My Media Africa, identifies, recognizes and celebrates distinguished Africans who have excelled in 36 different categories of human endeavour. These include governance, agriculture, education, arts, sports, community development, philanthropy, among others. Put simply, the award showcases Africa's finest leaders every year. 

The award calls for nominations across the African continent and diaspora in the various categories. Thereafter, the public from all over Africa is invited to vote using the social media on the identified nominees. The shortlist is then subjected to a thorough scrutiny by a panel of 26 eminent panellists drawn from across the continent in order to settle on the winners. 

For 2021, Dr. Mutua trumped three extremely innovative and transformative leaders from the Republic of South Africa and Nigeria. These were Mr. Oscar Mabuyane, Premier of Eastern Cape province, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Executive Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria and Mr. Bushy Maape, Premier of North Western province. The four leaders made the final list thanks to their leadership in infrastructure, youth development, recreational facilities, and healthcare.

The panel was unanimous on Dr. Mutua's win citing his remarkable achievements as the Governor of Machakos County. In their remarks, the various panelists highlighted the healthcare facilities in Machakos, in particular the free cancer care and treatment center that takes care of vulnerable Kenyans. They also mentioned the new tarmac roads and the "decency of Machakos county". Prof. Henry Iwuanyanwu, one of the award event curators opined that "Machakos is very clean and beautiful!" 

They were also greatly impressed by the unique People's Park in Machakos, that is clean, beautiful and free for all Kenyans to enjoy. The final criterion was youth development where the panel cited the bursaries allocated to youths, the sports stadia, table-banking for women, among others. 

In 2020, the Best Governor of the Year was Mr. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State in Nigeria. 

In the other categories, another Kenyan, Prof. PLO Lumumba emerged as the "Pan-africanist of all times". 

Other finalists include Emmanuel Tuloe from Liberia, Mutebe Henry from Uganda, Ousman Touray from The Gambia, Strive Masiyiwa from Zimbabwe, David Adeleke (Davido ) from Nigeria, Hon. Jewel Taylor, Vice-President of Liberia, Chinedu Okoli (Flavour), Peter Ndifong from Cameroon, Dr. Charles Hackman from Ghana, among others.

Former President of Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, won the 2020 Africa Illustrious Award as the "African Peace Ambassador of all Time".