Was Uhuru right to snub Raila in Nyeri during Madaraka Day?

We should not make it a big deal that NASA leader Raila Odinga was not invited to make an address during the Madaraka Day function in Nyeri County.

The fact that the former Prime Minister was sent an official invitation is in itself a confirmation that the National Government recognises him as an important leader in this country.

The honourable leader of the Opposition sat on the dias with other VIPs. Indeed, protocol was strictly observed as the only other persons who spoke before the President was the host, Governor Samuel Wamathai and the Deputy President William Ruto.

Still, there must be a good reason organisers of the ceremony limited the number of speakers during the historic event.

We should note that this was the first time Nyeri County was hosting the national holiday, seeing that previous ones were held in the capital city of Nairobi. In the past, President Kenyatta and his deputy have treated the former Premier with civility and decorum in many forums. So let’s not make a big fuss about a single event that dictated public protocol to be followed.

Philip Kisia  is a city politician and former Town Clerk

Kenya has numerous national symbols and unifying events.

The national anthem, the national flag, court of arms, the Presidency and national days such as Madaraka Day are not the preserve of a ruling party or any other political outfit.
President Uhuru Kenyatta should not make any of these things his party possession. On a national day like Madaraka Day, the celebration has to be national and the decision to use a native a language as was witnessed in Nyeri County is wanting. Madaraka Day can never be a Jubilee affair and when Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga decided to attend, the President’s decision not to recognise him or deny him an opportunity to speak to the nation was ill-advised.

The event was a state function and the position of an Opposition leader in a multi-party democracy cannot be wished away. The President should differentiate when he presiding over a national event financed by the State and when he is handling Jubilee Party affairs.
By snubbing Raila, the presidency exposed itself to ridicule from Kenyans.

The turn of events also made Raila come out with his head held high and showed him to be a patriotic, national and mature leader. Hongera, Jakom!

Steven Ouma  is ODM Kisumu County Assembly candidate for Kolwa East