Kenyans see little to celebrate on nation’s 52nd anniversary

Former Subukia MP Koigi Wamwere said the country is still struggling to identify its true heroes with those holding high public positions and enjoying ill-gotten wealth being celebrated.

As the country marks Mashujaa Day, Kenyans say its relevance is slowly fading away as leaders have betrayed the ideals the freedom fighters stood for.

A section of leaders in the Rift Valley say the country has slid into tribal politics and poor governance.

Former Subukia MP Koigi Wamwere said the country is still struggling to identify its true heroes with those holding high public positions and enjoying ill-gotten wealth being celebrated.

He said poverty, ignorance and disease, which the founding fathers vowed to eradicate at Independence have become more endemic, owing to the widening gap between the rich and poor.

“A lot of people are still dying of preventable diseases as the rich have better access to medical health care,” Koigi said.

Former Nakuru Town MP Mark Mwithaga said Kenyans had lost the spirit of patriotism, which was evident in the early years of independence and had resorted to pursuing selfish interests at the expense of the nation.

Narok East MP Ken Aramat said ethnicity remains the major problem with politicians retreating to their ethnic cocoons instead of looking at issues from a national perspective.

“The political class has balkanised the country and we no longer feel we are Kenyans. The tribe has become the overriding factor while the virtue we are supposed to cultivate is unity,” he said

Coast MPs called for unity and a renewed fight against corruption as the country remembers its heroes.

The legislators also called on leaders to focus on development instead of propaganda as challenges such as poverty and diseases burden a majority of Kenyans post-independence.

Malindi MP Dan Kazungu claimed the country has been set on an election mood instead of focusing on development.

“Today’s mashujaa should focus on unity and development and not political rhetoric,” said Kazungu.

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Kazungu also called for justice for Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang at the International Criminal Court and the post-election violence victims noting that 178 MPs.

Kwale Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga said: “All Kenyans should stand up against corruption. Leaders should promote an environment for tourism and investments to thrive. We should not scare away investors.”

And North rift residents who talked to The Standard on Mashujaa Day said politicians of the day are given more prominence than heroes.

John Seii, a Kalenjin elder, said the nation should focus on recognising the past and present heroes equally.

“There are so many unsung heroes at the villages but we see ‘recycled’ heroes being celebrated annually. This demotivates the upcoming heroes from being patriotic to their country,” he said. “The country has never recognised the work of elders despite playing a key role in stabilising the communities through peace-building and conflict management.”

Kipkorir arap Menjo of Eldoret said the true meaning of the event has been hijacked by politicians dimming the recognition of true patriots who fought for the country.

Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang said Kenyan athletes are not being celebrated.

“Our athletes are highly appreciated abroad as compared to our motherland yet they have represented the country well at international meets. Former athletes should be given positions to run sports offices since they have the expertise,” said Kipsang.

—Report by Karanja Njoroge, Patrick Beja, Fred Kibor and Jonathan Komen