By Wakhungu Andanje
The Kenya Kwanza administration has sharply criticized officials from the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-Kenya) for questioning its leadership capabilities. Speaking at the home of the late MP Malulu Injendi in Malava, Farouk Kibet, an aide to President William Ruto, accused the party of misleading Kenyans by suggesting the country is veering off course in terms of service delivery. Kibet dismissed DAP-Kenya’s efforts as incitement and blackmail, urging the party to cease its false criticisms of government initiatives, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), which he defended as operational and beneficial. He warned that such narratives discourage citizens from enrolling in the health scheme.
Kibet singled out DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, accusing him of exploiting the Malava community with what he termed “propaganda” to garner sympathy votes. “We have a group of masqueraders, led by Eugene Wamalwa, peddling crafted malice about the government across Western Kenya. Let me assure them they are wasting their time. Malava remains aligned with the government, and even as we mourn our MP’s passing, we will ensure his successor comes from the ruling side,” he declared. He lambasted Wamalwa for offering a mere KSh 30,000 donation during the funeral, calling it an attempt to sell “cheap politics” to a community that, he argued, has already reaped the benefits of government support and will not return to the opposition.
Government Pledges Support As Western Leaders Rally For Unity
Taking a swipe at Wamalwa’s past tenure as a minister, including his most recent role as Minister of Defence, Kibet questioned his contributions to Malava, asserting, “It is shameful for a leader of your calibre to stoop so low. Malava is firmly with the government, and DAP-Kenya propagandists should consider this constituency off-limits.” He pledged to provide five bulls for slaughter after the burial, followed by a meeting with Western leaders to strategize on retaining the parliamentary seat for the government. “I will personally donate to unite our leaders and launch our next political offensive, ensuring the seat remains ours. I also call on other leaders to support this initiative in honour of our fallen MP,” he added, announcing an immediate contribution of 10 vehicles to transport mourners to Kisumu Airport to receive the deceased’s body.
Over KSh 7 million has already been raised for funeral expenses, with President Ruto contributing KSh 2 million personally, alongside KSh 1 million and two bulls from Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who also pledged an additional KSh 300,000 for post-burial ceremonies. Barasa condemned divisive politics, stating, “We must unify the nation. As Raila negotiates with the government for development, those undermining it will fail.”
Additional support came from Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, who, with friends, raised KSh 1 million and promised lessons for women and shirts for men, while Western MPs, led by Ikolomani’s Bernard Shinali, confirmed logistical arrangements, including buses from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and a state-of-the-art setup from the President for a dignified send-off. Further commitments included school buses for Friends Lugusi Boys and a South Kabras school, fulfilling the late MP’s pledges. Leaders like Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe and Nandi County Woman MP Cynthia Muge emphasized unity and government stability, citing recent agricultural price adjustments as evidence of responsiveness.
