Boni Khalwale Criticisizes Mashujaa Day Event in Kakamega

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale on Saturday expressed his displeasure about how some of the Luhya leaders were not given a chance to address the crowd during the Mashujaa day celebrations at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.

Taking to his social media, the vocal politician stated that not being allowed to speak was demeaning to the Luhya people.

"Today’s was a national function in Kakamega. We know! But blocking all of us from speaking after state protocol was breached has left us & our people seriously demeaned," he tweeted on Saturday.

His remarks ignited some reactions from Kenyans online who expressed their disapproval with the statement.

"Stop this tribal conglomeration thingy it is boring, stale, outdated and dry. Put your energies on implementing and living this new Constitution and Kenya will never be the same. All this other stuff is petty ego competition," one user noted.

Another stated that Raila and Khalwale were not in the same league, "Raila Odinga is AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development. It will take you a thousand years to play in his league. What you wanted to say isn't important. Pole sana ndugu."

ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale chimed in on the conversation drawing parallels with other national events.

"In Meru did you see Munya, Kagwima, Mithika, Kithure Kindiki et al demand to speak. When shall our Luhya Nation learn to differentiate btn National days and public rallies?" he responded.

In his speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to immediately put in place a framework to pay sugarcane farmers after auditing Ksh2.6 Billion, which is the outstanding amount that is owed to them by public sugar factories.

“It is not acceptable that cane factories have been collecting cane from farmers and not paying for it while the demand for sugar has been on the rise,” stated an angry Uhuru.

Here are some of the reactions: