NAIROBI, Kenya – Actor, comedian and producer Nicholas Okwach Ouma, popularly known as Nick Kwach, has received a National Heroes Medal in recognition of his contribution to the country’s performing arts and creative industry.
Kwach received the honour from President William Ruto during the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations at State Lodge in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Tuesday, October 20.
The recognition came as Kwach marked his 16th year as an actor and professional artist, a milestone he reflected on in a statement shared on Instagram following the ceremony.
“Let me make today about myself. Okay, it is not me making it; it is the Hero Council,” he wrote.
The actor’s light-hearted opening preceded a reflection on the years he has spent building his career in theatre, acting, comedy and creative production.
Kwach said the national recognition affirmed his commitment to his craft and encouraged him to continue creating opportunities within the industry.
“This recognition through the National Heroes Council validates years of determination and dedication to the craft and solidifies the need to continue creating a path,” he stated.
The actor also acknowledged the people who supported his journey, particularly his collaborators at Crony Productions, the creative company behind some of his notable projects.
“This is also a representation of the collective effort of everyone that has made the journey possible, especially everyone at @thecronyproductions, whose work has been recognised,” he added.
The National Heroes Council recognised Kwach in the Arts category of Kenya’s 2026 National Heroes list.
His official citation identifies his contribution to the performing arts and creative industry through theatre, acting, comedy and creative production.
The wider 2026 list includes 264 Kenyans across 14 categories, recognising contributions in areas such as sports, entrepreneurship, human rights, philanthropy, scholarship and cultural preservation.
The Arts category includes musicians, actors, dancers, visual artists and other creative practitioners whose work contributes to cultural expression, national identity and the preservation of Kenya’s heritage.
Kwach was recognised alongside other figures in the category, including veteran actor and educator Ian Mbugua and the late musician Diana Chelele.
Kwach has built part of his creative career through Crony Productions, producing projects that have contributed to Kenya’s theatre and screen arts.
Among the productions associated with his work are Cost of Living and Otis Janam.
The latter, a Dholuo-language film written and directed by Dr Zippy Okoth, follows Janam, a fisherman whose life changes after winning a boat-racing championship.
The film premiered at the Kalasha International Film and Television Market in March 2024 before screening at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in August that year.
Kwach received the festival jury’s Best Actor in East Africa award for his performance in the film, adding regional recognition to his work in the industry.
The production explores social issues, including alcoholism, sexism and polygamy, while presenting its story through the Dholuo language.
Kwach has also spoken about the difficult beginnings of his acting career. He started with a travelling theatre troupe that performed set books in schools across western Kenya, an experience that exposed him to the challenges facing performers as they establish themselves professionally.
