Africa-Press – Kenya. Azimio leaders kept off the first Mashujaa Day celebrations under President William Ruto’s administration which was marked at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, on Thursday.
The troops led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta were a no-show at the event, which was fairly attended.
Only Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka attended the ceremony.
Raila is out of the country on a tour of India and other undisclosed states.
A message on his social media pages indicated he would tour more than just India.
“Baba has left the country for a week’s visit to several nations starting with India; see you all when I’m back,” he said.
President Kenyatta was away in Nigeria for the third Ministerial Review and Performance Retreat.
He was accompanied to Abuja by outgoing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, who was Raila’s running mate in the August presidential election, also kept off the grounds.
Instead, she reached her followers on Twitter with a message to celebrate the many men and women who have borne the cost of freedoms Kenyans enjoy.
She cited the freedom fighters, activists, politicians and brave journalists who have never given up the pursuit of true liberation for the people.
“It has come at a great cost, but it is not in vain, and we are not yet there. In honour of them, we must continue to fight for, protect and hand over the gains of freedom to those that come after us,” Karua said.
Unlike Uhuru’s time when he could invite senior opposition leaders to speak, it was not the case as Ruto did not give the opposition team a chance to speak.
A section of the opposition team, however, reacted to the speech saying it was time long speeches were replaced by action.
“We [Kenyans] have for the last 59myears listened to well-written long statements from all leaders rank and file, outlining all manner of priorities across sectors,” ODM national treasurer Timothy Bosire said.
“But implementation remains the problem. Poverty is the common feature as the harvest of such speeches and pronouncements.”
The former MP added, “Little talk and more action should be the way and the future of the country. We must catch up with our colleague countries around the world, Singapore being the example.”
Ruto beat the opposition to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in an election which Raila unsuccessfully challenged at the Supreme Court.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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