President Kibaki received the Leadership, National Cohesion and Stability while President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda was recognized in the category of National Building and African Leadership.
A Former Ghanaian President Prof. John Atta mill was awarded posthumously with Democratic Governance and Development and the immediate Zambian Head of State, Rupia Bwezani Banda was also honored.
Others were, Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim of MO' Foundation, Chief Godswill Okpabio of Nigeria and Businessman Kamlesh Partni.
Speaking during the event, Vice President who represented President Kibaki said it is time for African nation to rise and claim their rightful position in the global economy.
Mr. Musyoka said that with good governance and corruption free society, the continent given the vast natural and human resources can rid of itself of perpetual poverty.
"The time to lift out of poverty is now and the time for Africa is now," he added.
On the forthcoming general elections, the Vice President challenged Kenya's presidential aspirants to embrace the spirit exhibited by former Zambian President, Rupia Banda and honorably accept defeat and support whoever will win.
Mr. Musyoka commended Dr. Banda for his move, saying that at any given moment a country will have a single Head of State.
He, however, expressed confidence that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful and successful.
"This will be a historic elections, it is the first one under the new constitutional dispensation and a transitional period," he said.
Mr. Banda urged African leaders to accept the outcome of an election, saying that the continent should not always be drugged into election crisis and a possible civil war scenario.
"Accept the result of an election and support the winners, when you go for polls, expect a winner and a looser, we must protect the continent from civil war and instead face other pressing challenges that include food insecurity and poverty,' said former president. - KBC
