Controversial blogger Robert Alai. [Photo/SDE]Controversial blogger Robert Alai has slammed his critics after he was listed for a State Commendation award by President Uhuru Kenyatta.After Jamhuri Day celebrations, Uhuru conferred Alai the honour, with many Kenyans questioning on the criteria used to award the honors, on social media.They blasted Kenyatta saying he belittled the national awards by rewarding political loyalists.Some questioned what Alai who has been a pro-Uhuru blogger had done so as to be awarded.However, Alai slammed his critics and thanked Uhuru for the award."Hii commendation yetu inanyima wengine oxygen. Sasaa.... si mtateseka sana mkinisema? Thanks H.E. @UKenyatta for the award. I appreciate that you thought about me. God bless!!!!" he said on Facebook, Wednesday.Kenyatta conferred the ‘Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart’ (E.G.H) on Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, and prominent businessmen Peter Muthoka, John Peter Nyaberi Simba, Peter Kahara Munga, Titus Kirea and Pamidimukkala Venkata Sambasiva Rao.Kenyatta presented the awards and honours to the recipients in recognition of their distinguished and outstanding services to the country during the Jamhuri Day garden party he and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta hosted for invited guests at State House, Nairobi, after the Kasarani celebrations on Tuesday.Other recipients of the national awards and honours included journalist Victor Muyakane who saved a disabled man from bees and Administration Police officer James Chege who braved raging floods to escort KCSE national examination papers. The two received the Head of State Commendation (HSC) civilian and military divisions awards respectively.Pugilist Fatuma Zarika – who recently floored Zambia’s Catherine Phiri to defend her World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title – also received the HSC civilian division award.Over 250 other Kenyans received the awards and honours for rendering outstanding services to the nation in various capacities and responsibilitiesSome of the names that raised the storm include; Martin Kamotho alias Githeriman - blogger Pauline Njoroge, director digital and diaspora communication at State House Dennis Itumbi, Citizen reporter Jackie Maribe, and radio presenter Njogu Njoroge.Other artistes awarded included Billy Arocho, the President’s close ally, televangelists Teresia Wairimu and Lucy Ngunjiri, gospel singers Smith Roy Mwita alias Rufftone, and Ben Githae.

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