A statement by State House spokesperson Kanze Dena on Friday on the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations sparked angry reactions from Kenyans online.
With the celebrations to be held on Monday at Mombasa's Mama Ngina grounds, Dena urged people to attend the ceremony describing it as a rare opportunity for the Coastal region to show its love for the country.
"All residents of the entire Coast Region are encouraged to attend Mashujaa Day celebrations at the redeveloped Mama Ngina Drive because it is a rare opportunity for the region to show its love for the country," she stated.
Irked, a section of Kenyans expressed their disappointment at the statement given the current state of affairs at the coast.
New SGR haulage policies have badly affected business at the Port of Mombasa and the Likoni Ferry tragedy that left a mother and her child dead is still fresh in people's minds.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's move to fire all Kenya Ferry Service (KFS) members on Thursday was seen in some quarters as an attempt to appease area residents ahead of the celebrations.
Elsewhere, the Met Department issued a warning to all those planning to attend the celebrations to brace themselves for heavy rain.
They were advised to carry umbrellas and wear warm clothes.
Sample some of the reactions to Kanze Dena's statement below.
Sounds like, a statement from North Korea
— Richard Machomba (@richardmachomba) October 17, 2019
The coastal people are in no mood for celebrations. They recently lost a mother and daughter through state corporation's negligence. They have lost revenue generation and jobs. So instead of gathering to celebrate they will be praying at Tononoka. @FauzKhalid @FASTACTION18
— Erique O. (@Ericoloo) October 17, 2019
But Mombasa people have invited us for another one in Tononoka grounds..Thanks for giving me a choice.. Unfortunately am not in a mood of listening to government officials who keeps on Lying to the masses..
— George Kayman (@KaymanGeorge) October 17, 2019
Mashujaa day celebrations ni wewe! We r still reeling from the unbelievable & unnecessary deaths of 2 citizens offboard 1 of your facilities. & till now that same facility is in the exact same deplorable condition! How much mo care less can u b? MSHINDWE!
— Mary One (@MWNj7) October 17, 2019
Coastal people have nothing to celebrate about. Jobs have been lost by this government directive to haul all cargo by SGR. 1000's of our youth are sitting at home hopelessly. This insensitive government has never given hope to the youth of this country. Mashujaa NO.
— robert ochola (@robertloungers) October 17, 2019
Yes, they should come celebrate , "The Mombasa Economy and Coastal towns plus towns along Mombasa to Nairobi being shut down and transferred to Naivasha via the SGR lunatic Express to no where (Private Inland Depot). Who bewitched Kenya.
— #FreeStellaNyanzi (@kenjapala) October 18, 2019
To show love!!!. With all madharau you show us??.. Never again!!
— Call_Me_Nick? (@nicholas_64) October 17, 2019
Tell grandmothers and grandmothers that you are offering jobs daily to attend. Actually as young people we ain't interested with anything from this Jubilee/Nyumba ya wazee government. Go on testing our patience, tht day of no turning back will come. #ThursdayMotivation @ItsMutai
— RICHARD MAHAMOUD (@RichiMahamoud) October 17, 2019