Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has declined an invitation to the New Year's eve State Dinner at Kisii State Lodge.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 31, the Senator cited the failure of the government to uphold the rule of law and address the ongoing issues including abductions.
"Therefore, because of my deeply held views on these issues, I will not be attending the State New Year Eve Dinner at 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.
"I'm uncomfortable with the idea 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 during this season, but in vain," he said.
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Onyonka lamented that the year 2024 had been a tumultuous and painful year for Kenyans, particularly in light of the abductions of young Kenyans.
"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 the people's rights, especially to young Kenyans, are 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.
"We are ending our year at a very low end! 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 added.
Onyonka expressed his strong conviction that President William Ruto had fallen short of his Oath of Office, criticizing him for failing to preserve the dignity of Kenyans.
"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 further said.
