NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga and Chairman National Police Service Commission Johnstone Kavulidi follow proceedings of the 54th Madaraka Day celebration in Kabiruini show ground in Nyeri. [Photo/Standard Media]
Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulsamwad Nassir has joined a section of Kenyans condemning the snubbing of NASA presidential leader Raila Odinga at the Madaraka Day celebrations in Nyeri county on Thursday.
"First of all, not inviting Raila Odinga to speak during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Nyeri because he is in opposition is typical of this Jubilee Administration," said Nassir.
The MP said the move to deny Raila a chance to even address the nation is a President Uhuru Kenyatta's ploy to ensure that Kenyans who speak the truth are barred from speaking to hide a secret that is already in the open.
"But I am not sure what they are trying to hide, since everything is out there in the open. Kenyans are suffering because of corruption, poverty, unemployment and a dishonest Jubilee government. It’s all in the public limelight that the country is heading in the wrong direction," he said.
Nassir also condemned the speaking in mother tongue during a national holiday, saying every Kenyan had the right understand everything that was being spoken of.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir with Majority leader Aden Duale.
"Speaking in mother tongue at a national event is uncalled- for. It is no good. We did not hear people talk Kikamba in Machakos," said Nassir.
Apart from that the lawmaker also supported Uhuru's move to devolve national holiday venues but also claimed that there is malice in the choice of venues since the President goes to counties where he enjoys cosy relationships with governors who can criticise his administration.
"That is why President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto will visit only Governors who are friendly, the ones who are playing to be good boys and are in their favour. The Uhuru Administration prefers to hold public holiday celebrations where the Governors are afraid to speak the truth," said Nassir.
"National events are supposed to be held across the country as per the Constitution. They were to follow the county number: Mombasa as County Number 001 would have been the first. I don’t see it happening soon in Mombasa," he added.