Irate Kenyans take on President Uhuru over foreign tours

President Uhuru Kenyatta with his China counterpart Xi Jinping when they held bilateral talks at The Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

You cannot annoy Kenyans and get away with it, thanks to social media.

In July when CNN described Kenya as a hotbed of terror just before US President Barack Obama visited, Kenyans took to social media to express their displeasure with the hash tag #SomeoneTellCNN. The international media house buckled and apologised.

And now they have taken on President Uhuru Kenyatta over his frequent foreign travels.

When he travelled to South Africa from Paris, France, for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), not everyone was pleased. Below are some of their comments.

Ndung’u Jahmesi: Why do we have ambassadors and high commissions Mr President. Cut down the trips and reduce the burden on the taxpayers.

Isaac Munyao: Mr President, we have a saying in my land... when a man keeps away from home, he is running away from his responsibilities.

Samuel Mumira Gicho: Have you visited Mandera, Turkana, Isiolo and other remote places in Kenya?

Tom Khamasi: Serious preparations under way for his Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to Kenya next month.

Jethro Cheruiyot: Security has been beefed up in Kenya ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit.

Sunday, President Kenyatta updated his Facebook page upon arrival from South Africa.

Uhuru returns

“Arriving back into the country from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, South Africa,” read his post complete with pictures. The reactions were fast and furious:

Anwar Saddat: Welcome tourist-in-chief. While visiting Kenya, remember to stop by our Parliament and taste the food cooked by our law makers, who have just returned from a cooking tour of India among other nations.

Lemesh Phil: Welcome to Kenya. Rumours had it that you were going to skip Kenya in your official visit to Africa.

Omusakhulu Wycliffe Munyolo: Thank you very much your Excellency the President for choosing Kenya as your next tourist destination. We are humbled that you spared some time to visit this nation.

Stephen Kariuki: Uhuru should exchange places with Amina Mohammed... he acts as Foreign Affairs CS because he loves being in other countries than Kenya.

Swaleh Daf Jr: You spend most of your time on air than on land. President Kenyatta, are you a bird?

There is even a hashtag on the President’s foreign trips #‎UhuruinKenya.

Tony Ontita: Uhuru Kenyatta, the greatest world explorer since Marco Polo and Ferdinand Magellan. He recently discovered a country called Kenya.

Bidian Nyamor: We are honoured you chose Kenya. Kenya is proud to host you.?

Cyprian Nyakundi: Security beefed up as President Kenyatta tours Kenya. I hope he enjoys his stay in war-torn Kenya.

Oyola David Kiasa: Thank you Uhuru Kenyatta for choosing Kenya as your destination of choice. We hope that your visit shall be longer than that of Pope.

Mutemi Wa Kiama: Welcoming the visiting president @UKenyatta. Karibu Kenya & enjoy your stay! Actually, try & stay for a month & meet a few private developers.

Boost tourism

Chrispine Chiedo: Oh, I hear President Uhuru is here in Kenya for Christmas holiday? Karibu sana, this will definitely boost our tourism sector!

Sunday afternoon, State House released a statement delineating the President’s successes during the trips to Malta, France and South Africa. Many were not convinced.

Alice Wangari. As taxpayers and your employers, we demand you stop misusing our money on trips and concentrate on fighting corruption.