President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday feted Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu with the highest Presidential Honour in the country.
Mr Mailu was bestowed the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) at State House Nairobi. The award, which comes at a time Kenya is facing a major health crisis due to the ongoing doctors' strike, sparked an array of reactions from Kenyans.
A section of the public sharply criticised President Kenyatta noting that it was a slap in the face of doctors and patients, who are suffering as a result of the mass action.
Others wondered how Mr Mailu, who had his docket mentioned in the infamous Sh5 Billion Afya House scandal, could get an honor from the Head of State.
At the same time, some questioned how one gets to be bestowed a presidential honour with others stating that those close to powerful people were the only ones getting recognition
During the ceremony, freedom hero Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi's wife - Mukami Elois Kimathi - was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear for the role she played in the independence war.
Others who were honoured included Fatuma Mohamed Hirsi, a peacemaker from Wajir County. She was given the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear while Ogeto Kennedy Nyabuti, a member of Kenya Ports Authority and former chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board was feted with Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear.
