Inspiration is... overrated.

In 2009, a call was made to the White House to notify them of the impending award of the Nobel Peace prize to the newly elected president, Barack Obama. The staffer who initially received the call thought they were mistaken; that they had the wrong president. Obama had been in office for less than a year.

While his election to office as the first black president in the USA was an inspiration to many, it was not, even in the eyes of those close to him, the stuff of Nobel Peace Prizes. A “surprised and deeply humbled” Barack Obama nevertheless accepted the prize as a “call to action” despite his own reservations as to his worthiness.

In 2013, Hon. Mike Mbuvi Sonko was awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear (E.B.S) in recognition for his “remarkable contribution to the nation… in politics”.He had been a legislator for three years and had, admittedly, completely transformed the political arena. As to whether this qualifies as “remarkable" much less a "contribution” is still up to debate.

In 2017, Mr. Martin Kamotho, better known as Githeri Man, was awarded the Head of State’s Commendation (H.S.C.), normally reserved for those who demonstrate extraordinary qualities, patriotism, leadership or who make an exemplary contribution to the country. Githeri Man’s call to fame was lining up to vote…holding a plastic bag of boiled maize and beans.

All these individuals are, without a doubt, inspiring; the first to people worldwide who needed hope, the second to the downtrodden urban African youth who want to believe that they too can be make something of themselves and the third to a political leadership so completely bereft of tangible credentials that they had been reduced to surfing the waves of social media to stay afloat.

The Nobel Committee Secretary Geir Lundestad has since expressed regret for awarding Mr. Obama, acknowledging in 2015 that the anticipatory Nobel Peace Prize was given to him to “strengthen” him and admitting that it did not achieve either this narrow or the broader objectives.

There are few individuals in Kenya who would, at this particular moment in time, justify Hon. Mike Sonko’s recognition in the second-highest tier of national awards. His actions prior and subsequent to this award clearly demonstrate why it is that such recognition should be carefully considered and thought through.

As for Mr. Kamotho, it is clear that his recognition was the cause of his undoing; his reward doubled up as his punishment. The H.S.C., combined with the numerous accolades and prizes given to him by those who wanted to generate media attention by riding on his fame, brought about his eventual downfall. Where a presidential handshake or a cup of tea in State House would have been adequate (for his own/the country's sake) lies a man impaled by the heavy expectations imposed by a medal.

In a world with a rapidly diminishing attention span, characterized by an ignorance of/contempt for history and obsessed with notoriety (regardless of how it comes about), we now find ourselves offering monumental rewards and recognition where hearty rounds of applause or handshakes would have sufficed.

We are, even as adults, getting more obsessed with the here and now; what happened today or yesterday. As a result, we want to “strike while the iron is hot” by acknowledging events and individuals while they are still trending lest if we do it at a later stage, we lose the opportunity to ride the wave.

History proves repeatedly that compliments given to an individual too early, regardless of if they are deserved or not, normally produce complacency or arrogance. “Mgema akisifiwa, tembo hulitia maji” (when the brewer is praised for his excellent beer, he dilutes it with water).

While spectacular feats, innovative achievements and, in some cases, unusual occurrences should be recognized, there still must be a sense of proportion in the rewards we proffer; to give one's most prized award today for what may tomorrow be a commonplace accomplishment is, in my view, a waste.

Let us put “inspiration” aside. It is time to recognize and reward those who work quietly in the background; the ones who make things happen in our homes, families, corporations and countries. Those who cannot (because of their sense of duty and propriety) or will not (because of their preference for privacy) seek publicity for their actions.

Those are the ones who we should seek out to recognize and bring to the public’s attention for “exemplary qualities, or achievements of heroism, patriotism or leadership, one who has made an exemplary contribution to the country in the economic, scientific, academic, sports, journalism, business, security or other fields” or “exemplary contribution to the betterment of the national or county governments, the executive, the judiciary, the legislature and a person who has otherwise brought honor, glory or pride to the nation.” (National Honors Act, 2013).