Kenyans Slam Aaron Cheruiyot After Protesting Kenya's Loss To Uganda: "Accept And Move On"

• Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot took to social media to express his frustration after Uganda beat Kenya in extra time to clinch the CECAFA under-18 trophy
• The lawmaker shared an image of a Kenyan player walking past a Ugandan, casting doubt on the actual age of the Ugandan player
• However, most Kenyans differed with the outspoken lawmaker as they advised him to accept the defeat and live to fight another time

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kisumu - A loss in any sporting activity is always frowned upon, especially for the much-fancied team.

Ahead of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) under-18 finals in Kisumu, Kenya was billed to overcome their Ugandan counterparts, given their impressive performance throughout the tournament.

In a packed Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu, Kenya took an early lead in the second half through Syphas Otieno Owuor before Uganda equalised in the 77th-minute courtesy of Batiibwe Okello.

Barely a minute into the first half of extra time, Uganda took the lead through Hakim Mutebi and went on to win the trophy, breaking Kenyan hearts.

How did Cheruiyot react to the loss

Moments after the final whistle, Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot took to social media to express his frustration.

The outspoken lawmaker shared a photo of a dejected Kenyan player walking past a huge and muscular Ugandan.

Cheruiyot questioned the age of the Ugandan player, which could be interpreted to mean the Ugandan team had over-age players.

"How is this guy under 18? Uganda should stop carrying us bananas," he wrote.

The Senate Majority Leader's sentiments were met with mixed reactions from Kenyans who were still reeling from the defeat.

Most claimed the match was fair, and if there were reservations, they should have been raised before the kick-off.

Others accused Cheruiyot of being a sore loser and that he should take the defeat with the hope of getting the better of their opponents the next time the two teams meet.

TUKO.co.ke sampled some of the sentiments shared by Kenyans below;

@KiturRoger said:

"No room for excuses sir. We did our best. We learn and move forward Congratulations to Uganda for winning . Congratulations to team Kenya on securing the 2nd position and having a record 1 loss in the entire competition."

@lipundaKE wrote:

"You will blame everything else safe your reasoning. Will also reject the UGX gaining against our own weakening shilling?"

@Official6Hafid replied:

"Just stop this nonsense of age agenda, Kama ulilimwa kubali, vile mlirarua Somalia ndio mliraruliwa, kila mtu na tym yake. Put more pressure on this clueless government to prioritise sports, stop being Ruto's puppets."

@Jim_041 quipped:

"You are about to blame the previous regime."

@SJosma2 posted:

"The Ugandans are well fed with Matoke as opposed to Kenyans who are struggling to put a three square meal on the table due to the high cost of living!"

Aldrine Kibet loses his 'magical' boots ahead of final clash

Separately, Kenya Junior Stars playmaker Aldrine Kibet could not trace his boots after the CECAFA clash his team had with Tanzania.

Kibet shared his frustrations, asking those who made away with them to return, even if it meant him settling them.

He implied the boots were dear to him.