Uhuru Park heckling was in bad taste

It is high time Kenyans stopped the sickening habit of booing leaders they do not like.

It was disgraceful how the crowd at Uhuru Park on August 27 received the various invited leaders. The leaders who opposed the Proposed Constitution for various reasons had every right to attend the fete.

Heckling former President Moi, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Cardinal John Njue, MP Kiema Kilonzo and VP Kalonzo Musyoka showed poor judgement. We agreed that despite one’s stand on the Constitution, we are all winners. Why then try to ostracise others instead of embracing them?

How do we reconcile the country if we disrespect some people’s leaders? This is how tribal and ethnic clashes start.

It was a sign of great love for Kenya that these leaders showed up at all. Kudos to Moi, Njue, Museveni, Kiema and others for availing yourself despite the anticipated hostility. You showed true statesmanship.

{James Mwangi, Kigumo}

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The promulgation of the new Constitution was one of the greatest events ever witnessed in the annals of Kenyan history.

The display of our military power, our cultural dances, the presence of Heads of States and a host of dignitaries from the international community and the participation of Kenyans from all walks of life made for a worthy spectacle.

But one guest who grabbed my attention was Moi. His arrival was received with mixed reactions by the crowd, with those who were not amused going as far as jeering him.

The media also ignored him. While we were reminded from time to time about the presence of visiting retired Heads of States from Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria, Moi was rarely mentioned. Even at the end of the occasion, I expected Moi’s motorcade to be treated with the urgency it deserves. This was not to be; instead, Moi was kept waiting for his transport for a long time.

Moi’s detractors should know that no matter how much they may disrespect the former President, one cannot deny him his rightful place in history. History has it that Moi was Kenya’s second president, and deserves his due respect regardless of what he may have done while in office.

Disrespecting him will not change that fact. Instead, it portrays us as people who are intolerant and unforgiving, contrary to the spirit of the new Constitution.

{Khejeri Kephers, Eldoret}

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