Nothing to celebrate, Kisii Senator Onyonka tells Ruto as he declines dinner invite

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has declined President William Ruto’s invitation to the New Year’s Eve state dinner at the Kisii State Lodge.

In a statement on Tuesday, Onyonka cited the government’s failure to address ongoing abductions, corruption, and violations of citizens’ rights as the main reasons for his decision not to honour the invitation, adding that there is nothing to celebrate.

“The year 2024 has come to an end. Sadly, it was a tumultuous and painful year for Kenyans. The ongoing abductions, corruption, and violation of people’s rights, especially the youth, are deeply sad and painful to many. It’s sad to remember our past. It means Kenya is going back to factory settings; indeed, history repeats itself,” Onyonka said.

He expressed his discontent with the government’s response to the pleas of Kenyans, particularly with President Ruto’s failure to address these issues.

“We are ending our year at a very low point. Kenyans have asked, begged, and pleaded with President Ruto, to which he has given a deaf ear. Fidelity to our constitution is paramount to all Kenyans. We have always expected and hoped that the president would uphold the rule of law, but this has failed,” he said.

The Senator also pointed out the President’s failure to act on the abductions of young Kenyans, which he described as a serious breach of his oath of office.

“I have a strong conviction that the president has fallen short of his oath of office, where he should obey, preserve, protect, and uphold the sovereignty, integrity, and dignity of the people of Kenya. Expectations are that after these pleas from Kenyans of all walks of life, the Head of State in his New Year clarion call of unity of purpose, magnanimity, and brotherliness to all Kenyans, he would have released these young Kenyans who were abducted and some arrested. He has not,” he said.

Onyonka expressed his discomfort with the idea of celebrating while many Kenyan families continue to suffer.

“Therefore, because of my deeply held views on these issues, I will not be attending the state New Year’s Eve dinner at the Kisii State Lodge, on the evening of Tuesday, 31st December 2024, in my capacity as the Senator of Kisii County. I therefore decline the invitation,” Onyonka said.

“I’m uncomfortable with the idea that some of us will be normal, happy, and excited with colour and pomp when other Kenyan families are agonizing in pain, looking for their loved ones to share this season, but in vain.”