Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto delivered a powerful message against exclusionist politics during his Mashujaa Day speech on Sunday, October 20, reiterating that the country’s heroes were spread across different ethnic communities.
Speaking during the Mashujaa Day Celebrations at the Kwale National Stadium, the President stated, “Our heroes did not hail from one village or speak one language. Our heroes are numerous and diverse, united by a principled commitment to confront an unjust, exclusive, and oppressive system in pursuit of the noble vision of national liberation.”
According to the Head of State, any formula aimed to exclude, alienate, or disenfranchise any person, or group was detrimental to the nation in the long run.
He went on, “This unity of purpose motivated the icon of courage, Mekatilili wa Menza, and her generation of champions from every part of Kenya to resist colonialism, as well as Ronald Ngala and his fellow freedom fighters who advocated independence and decentralised government, which was an early form of devolution.”
The President reiterated that every citizen was an equal member of the country’s political community and was entitled to contribute towards nation-building.
“No proposition to discriminate or to unjustly diminish one while enlarging another’s rights is admissible. Therefore, any formula seeking to exclude, alienate or disenfranchise any person, group or community for any reason is repugnant to the very essence of our nationhood. We are one people, and Kenya is one united, indivisible, and sovereign nation,”
The President also addressed other pressing issues in his speech including the contentious question of the Social Health Authority. According to the Head of State, everyone who served under NHIF would seamlessly transition to SHA.
Farmers were also not left behind, with the President assuring that fertilizer prices would remain at KSh 2500 regardless of what purpose the fertiliser will be used for.
One memorable moment during the celebrations was when the Head of State feted 142 Kenyans for their immense contributions to society. The individuals were grouped into 14 different categories including scholarships, environmental conservation, statesmanship, entrepreneurship, and industry.
This year’s Mashujaa Day had some minor subplots, as it came at a time when the country was coming to terms with the first impeachment in the era of the 2010 constitution.
Ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, was a notable absentee from the occasion, as he continued to recuperate at the Karen Hospital following an episode of chest pains on Thursday during a Senate hearing. Hours after the Mashujaa Day celebrations, Gachagua made a first public appearance in Nairobi hours later with some explosive claims against his boss.
Not only did Gachagua allege he was blocked from attending the Mashujaa Day celebrations, he also accused Ruto of being behind his impeachment woes, labelling the Head of State as ‘vicious’.
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