Senior Lawyer Claims Why The Mashujaa Celebrations Were A Failure

Senior lawyer Donald Kipkorir has criticised how this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations were organised, saying the country failed to give its athletes the recognition they deserve. In a post on X, he noted that Kenya is renowned for producing world beating runners across distances ranging from 800 metres to the marathon, and that Eldoret is considered the spiritual home of that success.

Kipkorir said that on a day meant to honour national heroes, he expected athletes who paved the way for others to have a place of honour at the high tables. He named Paul Tergat, Moses Tanui and Moses Kiptanui, among others, and said he did not see them. According to him, their absence from the top seats was a glaring omission that should have been avoided.

He pointed out that Tergat is a powerful member of the International Olympic Committee, which makes his absence even harder to understand. Kipkorir argued that on such an occasion, the athletes should have been honoured in the stadium and recognised with State Honours. In his view, the celebrations missed a perfect chance to celebrate the people who have carried the country’s name across the world.

The lawyer also took issue with the way national honours are handed out. He claimed that most athletes hold the lowest State Honours, which are the Head of State Commendation and the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya. He compared that with what he described as fraudsters and conmen receiving the Elder of the Burning Spear, the higher honour. That comparison reflects his own opinion and he did not name anyone.

Kipkorir ended his post by saying the whole situation shows where the country’s priorities lie. His remarks have drawn attention online, with many Kenyans agreeing that athletes deserve far more respect from the state.

https://x.com/DonaldBKipkorir/status/2112577926394683549

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