A section of opposition leaders has criticized President William Ruto’s administration for allegedly using government development projects to influence voters ahead of the Malava by-election in Kakamega County.
Speaking during a rally at Shipala on Saturday, Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale accused the government of exploiting public resources to gain political mileage. The duo was campaigning for DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako, terming recent project launches in the area as politically motivated.
Wamalwa condemned the timing of the government’s development activities, insisting that residents deserved improved infrastructure and services as a constitutional right not as a political favor.
“You have a right to development because you pay taxes like other Kenyans,” Wamalwa told supporters. “It is not a favor that Ruto is coming here three years later, yet the Malava–Summit road remains incomplete.”
He further accused the President of using disrespectful language toward leaders and citizens, adding that the administration’s recent push in Malava was purely electoral.
Senator Khalwale, who has recently clashed with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leadership, accused Ruto of applying double standards in regional politics. He pointed out that while the President was backing an ODM candidate in Kasipul, he had fielded a UDA candidate in Malava a move Khalwale described as disrespectful to the Luhya community.
“When you go to Kasipul, Ruto supports an ODM candidate. But here in Kabras, he fields a UDA one. That shows lack of respect for our people,” Khalwale said.
Despite facing disciplinary action from UDA for supporting an opposition candidate, Khalwale vowed to continue backing Panyako, likening his stance to recent political reconciliations among other national leaders.
