Chairperson of President William Ruto’s Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Protests, Makau Mutua, has faulted senior leaders from Kitui County for failing to attend this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Ithookwe Stadium.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X on Tuesday, August 21, 2025, Mutua expressed disappointment that some leaders from the county skipped the historic national event despite it being hosted in their own backyard.
“ALL the senior Kitui leaders, including those on the side opposite, ought to have attended the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium by the way, now the most immaculate of all county stadia) to join President William Ruto in honouring Raila Odinga, who loved Kitui and visited often,” Mutua stated.
The Mashujaa Day celebration in Kitui was one of the most anticipated events of the year, attracting thousands of residents and guests from across the country. President William Ruto led the national ceremony that paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, whom Mutua described as a leader who deeply valued the people of Kitui
“Mammoth crowds thronged the venue,” he noted, adding that the absence of some county leaders was not only disappointing but also disrespectful to the people they represent.
Mutua dismissed claims by some leaders that they had not been invited to the celebrations, calling such excuses lame and unconvincing. “It’s lame for leaders to claim that they weren’t invited to the event. It’s strange for one to cry that they weren’t invited into their own home,” he stated.
The former presidential advisor went on to highlight the significance of the moment, saying Kitui may not host another national celebration of such scale for decades.
“Kitui most likely will wait for 46 years to again host this most hallowed of national fetes,” he said, urging local politicians to rise above divisions and show unity during moments of national pride.
Mutua concluded by urging leaders to avoid turning every event into a political contest, saying, “Let’s not degrade everything into a forum for scoring cheap political points. It’s a lost chance for them to greet their own people. Sad!” he concluded
His remarks have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many agreeing that national celebrations should be moments of unity, not politics.
