Nakuru Town West Member of Parliament Samwel Arama has come under fire from a section of X users after sharing images from his projects inspection tour in his constituency.
While sharing on Facebook, Arama said that he had accompanied government officials to inspect various projects in the Kapkuret and Barut wards, while also in the company of the respective MCAs.
Whilst most of the photos show the MP moving around while surrounded by staff and other officials, one photo immediately caught the eye of Kenyans – that of a young schoolboy holding up a handwritten placard in praise of the legislator.
The schoolboy, who appears uncomfortable and out of place, can be seen holding up a manila paper whose inscriptions read: “Thank You so much Mheshimiwa Arama for the bursaries you gave us. May God bless you!”
As if proud of the accolades he was getting, the MP can be seen contentedly placing his hand on the boy’s shoulders.
Many people, especially on X, were understandably displeased with the gesture, roundly lecturing the Member of Parliament for subjecting the teenage schoolboy to such a mortifying public show.
Many people castigated the legislator for appearing to take personal credit for a program which is fully-funded by the taxpayer, telling him to come off his high horse and tone down the grandiosity.
Other also noted how uncomfortable the boy clearly looks, also noticing that he appeared to have been planted in the situation just for show.
“Subjecting a minor to such degree of survitude and indignity is a criminality!” one X user said.
Another one noted, “Firimbi and trumpet lazima. It was the greatest injustice of the highest order to give MPs the power to control the bursary! You can clearly tell the boy feels ashamed standing next to such a bunch of ignorant adults! Disaster!”
On his part, Education activist Frank Ojwang said, “@NAssemblyKE could you pass a law to protect the privacy of the vulnerable children being supported? We welcome the help but let us protect the identity of the vulnerable young people receiving help. No photo should make it possible to identify the beneficiaries even if they want!”
A displeased Rene Njoki also expressed her disgust, saying, “Being poor is the worst thing ever! Mama mboga, mtu wa bodaboda and now needy kids being used for PR! Thanking a politician for paying for them fees with their own(taxpayers money)!”
On Facebook, the MP touted his successes, saying that he had instructed his team to “pick up challenges highlighted by the teachers and locals and act accordingly.”
