MPs from Western Kenya allied to Deputy President William Ruto have expressed regret for supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2017 polls.
The legislators said Uhuru has abandoned them yet they risked their seats by campaigning for him in a region that was supporting Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The MPs drawn mainly from the ruling Jubilee Party accused the President of applying double standards when it comes to development, claiming that he only favours Central Kenya and Raila’s Nyanza region.
Speaking at Nabongo grounds in Mumias town, the leaders led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said Uhuru pleaded with them to campaign for him but joined forces with Raila, his rival, and started frustrating them and his deputy.
Washiali was with Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), John Waluke (Sirisia), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Justus Murunga (Matungu), Malulu Injendi (Malava), former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and ex-Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale during the Western Leaders and Farmers Consultative Meeting yesterday.
READ MORE
CSs, PSs set to sign performance contracts in accountability push
Ruto meets divided Nairobi leaders, Gachagua allies
President Ruto seeking consultants for Bottom-up economic agenda
Rift deepens as Gachagua drops Ruto lawyer in referendum case
The meeting was to be held last weekend but was outlawed by the police due to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) forum in Kakamega town.
“Uhuru has directed Treasury to give Sh3 billion for coffee, Sh2 billion for tea and Sh3 billion to milk farmers in Central and Sh3 billion for the port of Kisumu. When it came to Western, he said he was waiting for a report,” said Wanyama.
The MPs said the government should allocate money, not loans, for the revival of collapsed industries in the region.
