Post on Social media raises question about Uhuru’s historical knowledge and intellect

By Silas Nyanchwani

NAIROBI, KENYA: On Saturday, January 11, former Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died. As it has become a tradition globally, world leaders poured their measured praise for the man  admired by Israelis but loathed by Palestinians.

Immediate reactions of such news are often broken on social media. President Uhuru Kenyatta, was not left behind-on Twitter:

“Israel has lost a true servant of its people, a freedom fighter anda peacemaker who played an active role before and after their independence.”

In a cheeky rejoinder, Gladwell Otieno, prominent lawyer and activist, wrote: “@UKenyatta, This is why you shouldn’t just use newspaper to wrap meat.”

(She was referring to the President’s criticism of the media at a public rally). Equally, his relatively longer tribute on Facebook drew mixed reactions torn along religious divide. Some comments were just insults.

Statement released in haste

Some questioned the historical knowledge and intellect of the President.

Although it was clear the post was a statement released in haste, State House did not comment whether they would have had second thoughts about it and had not pulled it down by the time of going to press despite attracting around 7,000 comments, some embarrassing to the Presidency.

Although Dennis Itumbi, did not comment on Sharon’s post and whether Uhuru had sanctioned it, he admitted to The Nairobian that his office handles all the President’s statements through his verified Facebook with about 830,000 likes.

It is not the first time the President’s update has appeared to have blundered. Last August when Asbel Kiprop and Eunice Sum won two gold medals in men’s 1500m and 800m women finals respectively at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, ‘Uhuru’ posted a congratulatory message on Facebook. Facebook showed the message was posted in Nairobi, but on that day the President was on a state visit to China.

Across the world, celebrities and politicians might have to undergo a training course on public communication, experts say.