Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has blamed Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the slow pace of development in the Ukambani region, accusing him of using poverty as a political tool to maintain control over the local population.
The former Machakos Governor claimed that underdevelopment in Ukambani, compared to other regions like Nyanza, Mt. Kenya, and North Eastern, is not accidental but part of a “Political Poverty Strategy” (PPS) allegedly promoted by Kalonzo.
According to Mutua, the PPS is a political approach aimed at keeping communities poor and dependent, making it easier for certain leaders to present themselves as “saviours” and maintain long-term influence.
“The logic is simple—an empowered population is harder to control or mislead. That is why you will hear slogans like ‘Vomwe na Vayetwa’ meaning ‘Resist and be hardened,’ which normalize poverty,” said Mutua.
He contrasted Kalonzo’s approach to that of Azimio leader Raila Odinga, who has previously worked with the government after losing elections to ensure development continues in his strongholds.
“Raila always joins the government after an election loss to ensure his people get roads, hospitals, and jobs. But Kalonzo fights any effort that could uplift the Ukambani people because development would loosen his political grip,” Mutua argued.
Mutua said the result of this strategy is visible in Kalonzo’s home area of Tseikuru, where residents still lack basic infrastructure such as tarmac roads, electricity, and clean water.
“It’s shocking that of all Vice Presidents in Kenya’s history, only Kalonzo’s home region still suffers from such extreme underdevelopment,” Mutua said.
While he called for respect when addressing Kalonzo, Mutua insisted that the Wiper leader must be held accountable for what he termed as years of economic stagnation and lost opportunities in Ukambani.
“Our mothers are dying during childbirth, our elders are trapped in poverty, and our youth are hopeless—all because of a system that encourages suffering for political gain,” he said.
Mutua also accused Kalonzo of opposing President William Ruto’s planned development initiatives in the region, such as roads, water projects, electricity, education, and health services.
“He doesn’t want Ruto to launch development projects in Ukambani because poverty keeps his political narrative alive,” Mutua said.
President Ruto is expected to visit the region.
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