Kenyans Console Edwin Sifuna After Being Snubbed In State Commendation Awards: "You're Our Hero"

• A section of Kenyans have comforted Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna after he was left out of the state awards by President William Ruto
• Ahmed Salim said Sifuna is a hero based on his exemplary performance at the senate, which has triggered the government to work on certain pressing issues
• Sifuna blamed the head of state for denying him the opportunity, stating that he had always believed that there was a mutual lack of respect between him and the president

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

A section of Kenyans has assuaged Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna after President William Ruto failed to commend him with state awards.

Ahmed Salim noted that the outspoken senator had made tremendous achievements in the Senate, pushing for agendas of which some have bore fruit.

"We all need to be grateful for Edwin Sifuna. This man is doing an amazing job at the Senate. He has faced issues with no fear, and because of him, some things are happening in the best interest of Kenyans. Sifuna, you’re our hero, and that’s all that matters," he tweeted.

On December 12, as the country celebrated its 60th Jamhuri Day, the head of state conferred over 900 Kenyans, including governors, senators, cabinet secretaries, members of parliament, and athletes, with national awards for their exemplary services to the republic.

How other Kenyans reacted

@James26713065 said:

"Omwami, take heart. Your work speaks for itself. It will happen at an appropriate time in the future."

@Maina_Glas_EQ wrote:

"Your time will come, Mhesh. I would rather be rejected by man 24/7 than by the Almighty."

@ItsDrMutwiri tweeted:

"Ipo siku."

@mulundasilingi

"Worry not, omwami, we shall soon award you one as the Wananchi."

@oligarchKE said:

"Omwami, Kenyans will award you Elder of the People’s Heart (EPH)."

Edwin Sifuna 'denied' state honours

The senator blamed Ruto for robbing him of the opportunity he had been nominated for.

In a statement on his X account, the ODM politician insinuated that he had always suspected that there was a mutual dislike between him and the president.

"I respect Ruto’s decision to deny me the national honours I had been nominated for. I always suspected the disdain was mutual . I thank Parliament for the nomination, though. And to all those who made it to the list, congratulations! Happy #JamhuriDay," he wrote.

Sifuna was among the 36 nominees for the award of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).

Moses Kuria reacts after missing state awards

During the celebrations, the first-in-command awarded nine cabinet secretaries, including Ezekiel Machogu of Education, Davis Chirchir of Energy, Eliud Owalo of ICT, and Susan Nakhumicha of Health Ministry.

Public Service CS Moses Kuria, however, was not conferred any state honour.

Kuria shared two photos: a gazette notice with the list of those awarded with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H.) and another with the names of those working in the office of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with a caption implying that he would also be there.

"We shall be there no matter what," he wrote.