Why Kenyans in the US don’t want Uhuru to visit New York
A section of Kenyans living in the United States is appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta to postpone his planned trip to the United Nations Headquarters in New York and instead “deal with the crisis facing the nation.”
A letter addressed to Mr Kenyatta and signed by the Chairman of Kenyans For Kenya (KFK) US Chapter Mr Peter Makanga requests the president to send a representative to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) noting that the teachers’ strike is threatening to paralyse the nation.
“It would be prudent for you to stay at home and address the teacher’s strike which has paralysed learning in schools across the country,” the letter seen by the Sunday Nation reads in part.
“Whereas we are not apportioning blame, our members feel that the issue is almost getting out of hand and we doubt that you would have any peace of mind while thousands of kilometers away from home at a time when the country needs your indulgence most. We therefore suggest that you send a representative and stay put,” the letter dated September 19, 2015 adds.
Mr Kenyatta is scheduled to arrive in New York next Wednesday for a series of engagements, including delivering a speech at the 70th gathering of heads of state and government at the assembly of nations.
SCHOOLS CLOSURE
In an unprecedented move on Friday, the government sent home close to 14 million students after issuing a circular declaring the closure of learning institutions across the country.
Education Secretary Leah Rotich said the closure decision had been arrived at because there was no learning in schools since the commencement of the teachers strike.
Also affected are the technical training colleges and institutes of technology since the lecturers are Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employees and members of the unions.
On the President Kenyatta’s US visit, State House officials have said that he would be accompanied by first lady Margaret Kenyatta, among other government officials.
He is also scheduled to address Kenyans living in the US on Saturday the 26th at a New York hotel.
