State House Director of Brand Strategy and Events Thomas Kwaka aka Big Ted is at the centre of a storm of his own making.
The larger-than-life celeb was criticized by Kenyans online after his defense of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership of the country so far.
Speaking to Daniel Ndambuki alias Churchill, Big Ted, the renowned emcee and event organiser, affirmed that all Kenyans had a role to play in shaping up the country – and noted that Uhuru had done a splendid job as a president.
“It’s very hard for Kenyans to understand the President and the Presidency, and I see people online talking bad about the President, and yet we are all part of the Government. You can’t complain about corruption and you yourself are busy being corrupt.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta has Kenyans’ interests at heart…he has redefined the Presidency during his tenure,” Big Ted stated.
The comments attracted a backlash from many Kenyans but Ted wasn’t backing down and defended himself online, saying that he never shies away from critics, as constructive criticism has always been the fuel of champions.
“I love being criticized. IN there I find my way, I love being criticized in there I find my True North, I love being criticized in there I find my faults, I love being criticized. In there I evaluate the Critic’s Intention. Honestly, I love being criticized in there I show Gratitude to those who Offer Constructive Criticism. I love being criticized coz in here I consider the Suggestions not the Tone of the Feedback. I love being criticized than being praised because CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM is the FUEL of champions…” he wrote in part.
While I understand KOT’s frustrations with Ted, especially the tone-deafness and the blind sycophancy with his comments, I defend his right to say them.
Yes, And I have two reasons;
Firstly, Ted like any Kenyan has the right to free speech. Idiocy and blather are protected in this major tenet of the human rights code. Otherwise, most of our politicians and pastors would have foul of this right.
Secondly, Big Ted works for the President. It is bad form to criticize the institution that pays your salary while you still work for it.
Yes, I know both reasons sound terrible as I read them back to myself but sometimes a truth can be hard to stomach.