Kenyans on Monday morning could not help but notice the disparity in the local newspaper headlines compared to some of their international counterparts.
On Sunday, a Kenyan science teacher, Peter Mokaya Tabichi, was crowned the best in the world after winning the 2019 Global Teacher Prize bagging Ksh100 million in a ceremony held in Dubai, UAE.
Some of the international media prominently featured the 36-year-old's achievement including United Arab Emirates' newspapers, Khaleej Times and Gulf Today as well as the New York Times.
Considering the significance of the news, some Kenyans expected that his achievement would at least be given significant attention but most of the local publications focused on the ongoing political talk in the country.
Perhaps to break from the typical headlines of corruption and politics, Kenyans were of the view that the media needed to shift focus to more positive news.
One such Kenyan who commented on the matter was Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria who posted on social media, "The headlines in Dubai and Kenya this Morning".
Among other Kenyans who commented on the matter included @The_Optics who tweeted, "How Kenya and Arab news Media treated the global award by Kenyan Peter Mokaya Tabichi."
Another tweep, @Victor Kenani tweeted, "The headlines world over and Kenya this morning".
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday congratulated Tabichi stating that he was a shining example of what the human spirit could achieve.
“On behalf of all Kenyans let me congratulate you on winning the Global Teacher Prize for this year. You are a shining example on what the human spirit can achieve not just for Kenya, not just for Africa but the world,' the president stated.
Tabichi, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, Nakuru, beat over 10,000 nominees from 179 countries around the world.
He was praised for giving away 80 per cent of his pay to support pupils in the deprived school who otherwise cannot afford uniforms or books.
The Varkey Foundation commended the teacher for his hard work and dedication stating, “He’s changed the lives of his students in many ways, including the introduction of science clubs and the promotion of peace between different ethnic groups and religions. He has also helped to address food insecurity among the wider community in the famine-prone Rift Valley."
