By Alphonce Shiundu
Kenya: MPs have rejected the Sh55 million deal that saw mobile telephone firm Safaricom rename the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani-Home of Heroes.
In an animated debate, in which the lawmakers flashed the one-finger salute reminiscent of Kanu the then ruling party under retired President Daniel arap Moi, MPs said it was wrong for the name of Kenya’s longest-serving President to be deleted from one of the landmarks in the country at a time when the country is planing celebrations for 50 years of independence.
Majority Leader Adan Duale said all those involved in the deal between Safaricom and the Sports Stadia Management Board will have to be dealt with for trying to rewrite the country’s history.
Duale said the trade-off of Sh55 million to drop the name of a person who ruled the country for 24 years was outrageous.
He said Safaricom was a blue-chip company and ought to have paid USD5 billion dollars.
Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East MP) said the whole deal should be investigated in the Committee of Labour and Social Welfare.
Limo said just as the bid by Cocacola to rename Nyayo National Stadium had been cancelled, the one to delete Moi’s name in Kasarani ought to be cancelled too.
“Any attempt to rewrite or erase the historical contribution of great leaders like Mzee Moi, who handed over power peacefully will be unfair. His reign must be applauded and must be respected. We must appreciate the unique contributions of great leaders and no attempt must be made by any individual to commercialise their names,” said Adan Keynan (Eldas MP).
Speaker Justin Muturi had to wield the big stick and tell MPs not to debate the matter because the committee will deal with it.
“The message to the departmental committee concerned is loud and clear,” said Muturi.
Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado Central) said the retired President had ruled the country for 24 years and it was wrong to delete his name from all the monuments in the country.
Minority Leader Francis Nyenze (Kitui West) backed Duale and said it was wrong for the Sports Stadia Management Board to “change the name of the stadium just because of Sh55 million”.
“This country is very rich and we cannot commercialise our history. Even our young Dr (Chris) Wamalwa (Kiminini MP) is telling me that the former President paid his school fees. “Kenyatta liberated us from colonialism, President Moi took over and brought a lot of development, there were no insecurity during that time. Though the economic growth was poor, the cost of living was very low,” said Nyenze.
