Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders drawn from Nyanza have demanded an apology from President Kenyatta over the heroes’ list released last week.
Homa Bay Women Representative Gladys Wanga, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, Nyando MP Fred Outa and politician Richard Ogendo see the omission of Jaramogi Odinga, Raila Odinga and Tom Mboya as a deliberate attempt to humiliate the Luo leaders.
The MPs claim that the three played a major role in the first and the second liberation of Kenya.
At a press conference in Kisumu, the politicians said the Nyanza region would not taking the matter kindly and that they demand an unequivocal apology from the Head of State.
They demanded the President to treat all Kenyans fairly and stop regarding those from communities perceived to be an opposition stronghold with "disdain".
Luos disregarded
"The President's deliberate attempt to shun the role played by Jaramogi, who is arguably one of the founding fathers of this country, shows disregard to the Luos," Wandayi said.
“Kenyans know people who made the country to be what it is today. It is sad that the President can narrow himself to politics of hatred and ignore certain individuals from a region that has suffered a lot since independence,” Wanga later said in a post on social media.
The president, however, honoured among others Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng Oneko, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Masinde Muliro, Dedan Kimathi and Paul Ngei.
Others who were included in the heroes' list were the late Mutula Kilonzo, Martha Karua and James Orengo.