Head of State Commendation: President Kenyatta ‘Awards’ Remarkable Kenyans

People don’t want to think. And the deeper they get into trouble, the less they want to think. But by some sort of instinct, they feel they ought to and it makes them feel guilty. So they will bless and follow anyone who gives them a justification for not thinking. When mediocrity is rewarded and sound mind thwarted by those who think that they are the elite, then the society is headed towards the land of no return.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the 54^th Jamhuri Day celebrations, presented national awards and honors to more than 200 Kenyans described as having served the country with distinction.

Most of the people appearing on the list made some of us confirm with our calendars whether it was the famous April Fool’s Day but no, it was 12^th of December 2017. The joke kicked off when the President conferred the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) on Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and businessmen Peter Muthoka, John Nyaberi Simba, Peter Kahara Munga, Titus Kirea and Pamidimukkala Venkata Sambasivo Rao. I may not know about the rest but why were Lusaka and Murkomen awarded? How have they served the country with distinction? What do they have to show? Or is shouting Tano Tena an equivalent of serving the country with distinction?

The joke of the year came when Martin Kamotho, popularly known as Githeri Man was recognized among those to receive Head of State Commendation for having served the country diligently and with distinction. Apparently, in Kenya, when you wake up, drunk to go and vote armed with a githeri in a banned plastic bag bag, you are more worthy than a girl in Moi Girls who saved her colleagues from an inferno, you are even more knowledgeable than the doctors who separated the conjoined twins for the first time in Kenya.

The list features other jokers like Ben Githae, the man who uses the word of God for political gains. Why was he awarded anyway? For singing Uhuru Ruto Tano Tena? Others were Dennis Itumbi, Robert Alai, and what for? For being in possession of the best vocabulary to insult the opposition? Jackie Maribe, a journalist was also awarded but what has she done? Covering Jubilee campaigns or for dating Itumbi?

Why didn’t the President award our athletes who have carried the Kenyan flag high in other countries? Why didn’t he reward all the doctors who successfully separated the conjoined twins? Why didn’t he reward that teacher and that police officer from Turkana who waded in flooding water just to ensure that students sat for exams on time?