Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was on the receiving end of massive backlash from Kenyans after posting a condolence message to victims of floods in Texas, United States.
In a statement on his X page posted on Wednesday, July 9, Mudavadi sent out a message to the families, friends, and the people of the United States who were affected by the floods that have since claimed at least 105 lives.
The floods occurred after a heavy downpour from the evening of Thursday, July 3, to early Friday. The floods left hundreds of others displaced, and destruction of property of unknown value.
“I extend my condolences to the families, friends, and the people of the United States who have been affected by the devastating floods in Texas,” Mudavadi stated.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those mourning their loved ones and those still searching for the missing during this difficult time,” he added.
However, what followed was a barrage of comments by angry Kenyans who accused him of being tone deaf to the current reality on the ground. The frustrated Kenyans highlighted his silence during the Saba Saba protests that led to the loss of lives and destruction of property.
Others accused him of wanting to appease the US, a developed nation that provides great aid to Kenya, in his condolence message.
“31 Kenyans were killed during Saba Saba, but not a single word of condolence to the grieving families. Not even a pause. No humanity. Yet you are the first to send condolences to Americans!” an X user commented.
“Hypocrisy of the highest order,” stated another angry X user.
A new report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) revealed that the death toll from the Saba Saba Day protests on Monday, July 7, had risen to 31.
KNCHR Vice-Chairperson Dr Raymond Nyeris released a statement on Tuesday, July 8, confirming that by 7pm, the commission had documented more deaths and arrests across the country from the protests.
KNHCR further disclosed that the number of documented injuries now stands at 107, while there are also two cases of abductions from the protests.
While describing the events of Monday as 'deeply troubling', the state-funded commission revealed that there were 532 arrests by Tuesday evening.
