The United Alternative Government on Sunday concluded its Western Kenya tour with sharp criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of failing to honour key development pledges made to the region ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Addressing congregants at Kibabii Catholic Church in Kanduyi Constituency before holding rallies in Chwele, Kimilili and Kitale, opposition leaders claimed that Western Kenya had been left behind despite playing a pivotal role in delivering votes in the last election.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua anchored the coalition’s attack on what he described as a pre-election agreement between President Ruto, the Amani National Congress and Ford Kenya, saying the commitments made to the region had largely not been fulfilled.
He alleged that while political leaders who negotiated the deal benefitted, ordinary residents of the Mulembe Nation had seen little transformation on the ground.
According to Mr Gachagua, the pact included pledges to complete stalled projects across Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties, construct 1,000 kilometres of roads, revive the Mumias and Nzoia sugar factories, and expand manufacturing in fisheries, agro-processing and mining. It also promised increased electricity and water connectivity.
“You were all politically conned by William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula. Before we formed the government, there was an agreement, but what has been implemented is only between the leaders. The rest of the region has been left in the dark,” Mr Gachagua said.
He told supporters that while the political rewards promised to senior leaders had been fulfilled, the broader commitments made to Western Kenya had not.
“So, in this agreement, the only thing that has been implemented is between Ruto, Musalia and Wetang’ula alone. You, the Luhya nation, have been left in the dark,” he said.
“Before Dr Ruto asks for your votes, why doesn’t he implement the agreement he made to the people of the Mulembe Nation? My cousins, I would be a bad member of the family if I knew you were being mishandled and failed to inform you,” he said.
Other opposition leaders argued that Western Kenya remained one of the country’s most neglected regions despite its pivotal role in the 2022 election.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said the region had not benefited from the promises made during the last campaign.
“The kind of poverty we have in Western is poverty on a different level. We want a leader who understands the problems facing the people,” he said.
DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa said the region needed leaders willing to defend the interests of ordinary citizens.
“We want leaders who can fight for the local wananchi,” he said.
The opposition leaders said they were confident of winning the 2027 election, pointing to what they described as the Dr Ruto administration’s failures in the economy, education, security and its relationship with the church.
They accused the government of using police brutality against civilians and worshippers, citing an incident at Witima ACK Church where they alleged that 12 armed officers assaulted congregants.
“Those 12 officers, I want to inform them that criminal acts have no limitation period. Next year, because the President will come from the Alternative Government, all those police officers will be arraigned in court,” warned Mr Gachagua.
“This despicable act was not merely an attack on a church building. It was an attack on freedom of worship, the sanctity of the church and the constitutional rights of all Kenyans,” Mr Muturi said.
He called for the immediate resignation of officials responsible for security failures and demanded an independent investigation.
“Those who orchestrated, financed, directed or participated in this attack must be arrested, charged and held fully accountable before the courts,” he said.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the government’s recent fuel price reduction was insufficient to ease the burden of the high cost of living.
“They have reduced the price of fuel by Sh10, but as the Alternative Government we had proposed that it be reduced to Sh170. This reduction means we will still experience a high cost of living,” Mr Musyoka said.
“Pray for this government, because every day they do not know what they are doing,” he said.
Jubilee presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i focused on the crisis in Kenya’s education sector, blaming corruption for delays in releasing funds to schools.
“What we are witnessing in the education sector is bad. The government is not releasing capitation funds on time. This is why children are under stress. Money meant for schools is being lost to corruption,” Dr Matiang’i said.
He added: “We respect our leaders, but delivering services to Kenyans has become a challenge for them.”
