Moses Kuria reacts after missing out on President Ruto’s State honours list

Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has seemingly expressed disappointment at being overlooked for national honours during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations, ostensibly suggesting that Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua played a role in the omission.

Kuria's reaction came after President William Ruto conferred nine Cabinet Secretaries with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) award, the highest state honour in Kenya.  

The CSs include; Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir Soipan Tuya (Environment), Peninah Malonza (EAC), Ezekiel Machogu (Education), Eliud Owalo (ICT), Zachariah Njeru (Water), Rebecca Miano (Trade), Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) and Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha.

In a statement on X on Tuesday, Kuria shared a photograph of a gazette notice featuring the State honorees, juxtaposed with another image illustrating the involvement of the Office of the Deputy President in the selection process for individuals conferred with national honours.

The National and County Government Honours Advisory Committee is a key office under the Office of the DP Gachagua.

"We shall be there no matter what," Kuria captioned the two photographs.

In a separate post on X, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna similarly voiced his dismay at being snubbed for the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), an award he had been nominated for.

"I respect Ruto’s decision denying me the national honors 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 Jamhuri Day," said Sifuna.