Furore over Uhuru’s snub to Eliud Kipchoge in presidential honours
Kenyans are an angry lot after world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge missed out on the presidential honors and awards list.
The list of awardees released during this year’s Jamhuri Day was populated with politicians military commanders, police commissioners, civil servants, clergymen and human rights activists.
Kenyans online noted that a man who had made the country proud with his great performance at the Berlin marathon was conspicuously missing in the list.
Kipchoge has a Head of State Commendation (HSC) award given to him in 2006, but Kenyans wanted him to have the highest award of Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH).
Sadique Shabaan wrote; “Dear @EliudKipchoge , we apologize for not honouring and recognizing you as a nation after what you have achieved. You deserve a first class honour for single-handedly bringing pride, positivity & publicity to this country. On this #JamhuriDay, you’re the People’s President.”
Toroitich Dickson questioned; “This country is losing direction by awarding the wrong people, how in the world is Eliud Kipchoge missing in this year’s list of Jamhuri day awards?”
Eric Kavoo stated; “Who is awarding these ones? Can’t they feel ashamed not to have @EliudKipchoge or even @governorkibwana on board? Moral of the story – cause scandals in the nation and you be awarded. Total nonsense.”
Governor Kibwana however holds an EGH award.
Stephen Macharia tweeted; “@EliudKipchoge God has kept you a first class honour and thats why you shine whenever you go…receive my reward for you.”
State House Secretary of Digital Communication Dennis Itumbi wrote; “I specifically agree that Eliud Kipchoge, who holds an OGW and CBS award deserves to get the EGH.”
He advised Kenyans to participate in the nomination process, that is usually open to the public, by filling up forms that are reviewed by the advisory committees listed in the constitution.
“Eliud already holds very high awards, CBS AND OGW. But yes fill up a form and nominate him for EGH. I sure will fill one tomorrow. Do the same too. To be a critic is easy, choose the harder path, that of a doer,” Itumbi added.