President Uhuru Kenyatta warns Kenyans against false heroes

President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday warned Kenyans against false heroes that take advantage of the country’s political and social platforms.

The President said this even as he named some of his critics among the country’s heroes.

In a speech that was carefully scripted to celebrate what he said were the country’s genuine champions, the President said the country’s heroes were those who remained true to the promise of the new Constitution and worked to unite Kenyans regardless of tribe, religion and other partisan considerations.

His critics

He named Siaya Senator James Orengo and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua among the country’s heroes, saying they were on the frontline in the country’s struggle for a new constitutional dispensation.

The two are among Opposition politicians who have faulted the Jubilee government for running down the country and failing to implement promises it made to Kenyans in the last General Election.

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“We owe our multi-party democracy to this generation of reformers... Nzamba Kitonga, Mutula Kilonzo, Kivutha Kibwana, Martha Karua, James Orengo, Otiende Amollo and Atsango Chesoni,” the President said.

He also mentioned those who had walked the difficult path of struggle in the country’s second liberation as the country fought to regain the freedoms after independence.

During this time, a number of Kenyans, among them current Opposition leader Raila Odinga were detained for demanding greater democratic freedoms.

“As we settled into our freedom as a country, the relationship between Kenyans and their government deteriorated. Democratic space narrowed; we lost the freedom to speak our minds and pursue our political visions openly and freely.

 Second liberation

“And so a new generation of heroes arose to lead a second liberation, which restored the freedoms we had lost; the names of George Nthenge, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Masinde Muliro, Martin Shikuku and Ahmed Bamahriz stand for many,” said Uhuru.

The Head of State’s speech was a celebration of those who had worked hard to make the country great, but also a caution to Kenyans not to fall prey to selfish leaders keen on dividing them for selfish political gain.

The speech steered clear of the country’s worrying debt levels.

A rendition of Roger Whittaker’s patriotic song, ‘My Land is Kenya’, performed by university students, had earlier set the mood for the day meant to celebrate the country’s heroes and heroines.

Invoking the dreams of the country forebears, the President drew a distinction between “fleeting celebrities” whom he said only cared for their own fame, and Kenyans who he said had an abiding commitment to patriotism and dedication for a better and more prosperous country.

He said the next General Election provided an opportunity for Kenyans to elect true leaders that would not divide them along partisan lines.

Next election

“Next year, Kenya holds its second General Election under the new Constitution. As we prepare to exercise our right to vote — as we pick our leaders — I ask Kenyans not to be deceived by the loud and ugly rhetoric we will hear in the months to come. In making your choices, focus on what our heroes wanted for Kenya: unity, cohesion, and prosperity,” he said.

Uhuru uncharacteristically did not delve into the achievements of the Jubilee administration, a favourite theme of his speeches during national celebrations.

Thousands of people, among them politicians and diplomats, attended the celebrations, the second to be marked outside Nairobi.

The ‘real heroes’ theme comes 10 months to the next General Election, when gullible voters are likely to fall prey to false promises from across the political divide.

Others recognised by the President as true heroes of the country were Kenya’s Olympic champions, among them Paralympian Samuel Muchai and marathoners Jemimah Sumgong and Eliud Kipchoge.

He also recognised independence heroes Dedan Kimathi, Paul Ngei and Field Marshall Muthoni as among those that had sacrificed much to liberate the country.

Pio Gama Pinto, Achieng Oneko, Makhan Singh and Dennis Pritt were recognised among names “that will never be forgotten”.