Opposition leaders slam Ruto for using State projects to woo voters in by-election campaigns

A section of leaders from the United opposition on Saturday launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of using the launch of development projects in Kakamega to woo voters as Malava heads to a hotly contested by-election.

Speaking during a rally at Shipala while drumming up support for DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako, DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said residents were entitled to good roads and other services as a matter of right, not as a favour timed to influence the vote.

Wamalwa delivered a blistering rebuke of the timing and motive behind the government’s latest interventions, telling supporters: "You have a right to development, to have roads from Malava to Summit, from Malava to Ekoli. It is your right! You pay taxes like other Kenyans. So it is not a favour that Ruto is coming here three years later, yet the Malava–Summit road is still incomplete."

He added, “Ruto has been using disrespectful language, saying some people have no brains, no agenda, and don’t understand themselves — that he will plan for them so they can get jobs. Even your leaders, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula, have already been planned for until 2032.”

Senator Boni Khalwale, on his par,t accused the administration of double standards, saying the president’s support for candidates varied by region and that the Luhya community was being disrespected by the choice of party endorsements. 

He accused the president of showing bias and disrespecting the Luhya community by fielding a UDA candidate in Malava while supporting an ODM candidate in Kasipul.

“When you go to Luo land in Kasipul, Ruto has not fielded his own candidate there — he is supporting an ODM candidate. But here in Kabras, he has fielded a UDA candidate because they do not respect the Luhya community,” said Khalwale.

“Yesterday, Uhuru told off Gachagua’s critics in his backyard, urging the Kikuyu community to stand together. So to those who want to harass me, I’m telling you: if Uhuru has seen it fit to unite his community, and President Ruto has recently reconciled with Gideon Moi, then why shouldn’t you allow me and Wamalwa to work together instead of wandering?” He stated.

On Friday, former President Uhuru Kenyatta cautioned Jubilee Party members against trading personal insults and urged leaders to focus on selling party policies rather than attacking opponents.