Honouring undeserving people harms letter and spirit of Constitution

President William Ruto conferring the Mashujaa Day award to Shee Kupi Shee for his brave work in peacebuilding and humanitarian aid, particularly in the Boni Forest area in Lamu. [Robert Menza, Standard]

There has been much hype about whether some people nominated for national honours truly merit it, given their questionable reputation with clouds of dishonour hanging and indeed hovering over their heads.

In a world where politics defines, shapes and influences nearly all action, policy and programme of governance, it goes without saying that the original sanctity and value of the award of national honour have been desecrated by politicians to promote their political hegemony.