By Wasike Elvis
Leaders from the Western region have strongly condemned remarks made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua about President William Ruto’s recent tour of the area, asserting that divisive politics will not be tolerated. The leaders, speaking at a fundraising event in Lugari, emphasized the importance of supporting the government to foster development and unity in the region.
Lugari Member of Parliament (MP) Nabii Nabwera led the charge, urging Western region leaders to embrace collaboration for the region’s prosperity. He stated, “We are going to work together as the countless from the Western region so that we have a steady unity.” Nabwera further assured the audience that the region is solidly behind the president, calling for unity in order to ensure continued progress and development.
On the issue of public services, Nabwera urged citizens to support the government's initiatives such as the Universal Health Care schemes, including the SHA (Social Health Assistance) and SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund), encouraging them to disregard those opposing these crucial services.
“Those opposing these services are under the bus,” he remarked, emphasizing that embracing such initiatives is key to accessing vital healthcare services for all.
In his address, President Ruto’s aide, Fourouk Kibet, also weighed in on the issue, highlighting that health services should not be politicized, as they directly affect the well-being of all Kenyans. Kibet called on the Western region to form stronger alliances with the Rift Valley to advance development and counter divisive tribal politics that hinder progress. “Tribal politics disintegrates the great strides that the country has made in fostering unity,” Kibet stated.
Kibet also pointed to recent government achievements, such as the reduction in fertilizer prices, which he said would encourage more farmers to engage in agriculture, boosting food security. He urged residents to reject illicit brews, which he said posed a threat to the region’s well-being.
MP Innocent Mugabe of Likuyani took a strong stance, asserting that significant development had been achieved under the current administration, and any efforts to undermine government support in the region were detrimental to its growth. "A section of leaders asking the Western region to shun supporting the government do not want developments for the region," Mugabe said.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale echoed this sentiment, declaring that the Western region was united in supporting President Ruto. “We have made one resolution: that we are going to work with William Samoei Ruto. We want to give an ultimatum to the former deputy president for his statements he made on the leaders of our region,” Mwale asserted.
MP for Khwisero, Christopher Aseka, also touched on education, announcing that the government had disbursed 15,000 shillings per student to help address school fees challenges. He urged parents not to send their children home for lack of funds.
On agricultural development, Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala praised President Ruto for his initiative to offer bonuses to sugarcane farmers, calling for similar incentives for other crops. “The developments should be spread across all the counties in Kenya,” he remarked.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe emphasized that all government development initiatives in the region should be welcomed, and no leader should attempt to divide the people of Western Kenya.
Kakamega Governor Fernandez Baraza echoed the call for unity, stressing that divisive politics have no place in Kenya. Baraza also voiced support for President Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, urging leaders to rally behind the president and reject opposition to his leadership, particularly with regard to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's bid for an African Union role.
The leaders' unified message at the event demonstrated their commitment to working together for the betterment of the Western region, with an emphasis on development, unity, and support for the current government.
