Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi has criticised Deputy President William Ruto’s frequent trips to western Kenya, terming them a ploy to lure the public for his own interests.
“What Ruto is doing is dividing the region by picking MPs, giving them money and pretending to launch development projects in their areas to scuttle the Luhya unity so that the community does not put votes in one basket,” Mr Mudavadi said.
According to the ANC leader, some of the projects Mr Ruto is launching are either not reflected in the national budget or have not followed proper the procurement procedure.
“Let the DP desist from playing divisive politics with the people of western region. It is wrong for him to lie to Kenyans in the name of launching projects when in real sense it is mere public relations,” Mr Mudavadi said yesterday in Butere during the Tindi Mwale tournament finals.
He cited Iguhu Medical Training College (MTC), whose construction was launched mid last month by the DP.
“According to the law on procurement of the MTC, where was the advertisement (for its construction) in the dailies? We want to see if there was a tender awarded. If you go to the site, where is the contractor?” He posed.
“What my friend is doing is taking the people of western region through a revolving door because these projects are just a mockery and will not be completed before 2022,” Mr Mudavadi said.
In December last year, the DP visited the region three times. His last visit was on Monday at Malinya stadium, in Ikolomani constituency, during the Idakho cultural event where he presided over a bull fighting contest.
In mid-December, the DP was in the same constituency to commission the Iguhu Medical Training College before he visited Emuhaya to launch the tarmacking of a Sh800 million Ekwanda-Lwanda-Mwichio-Esirulo Road.
On December 15, he toured Mr Mudavadi’s home turf — Vihiga County — where he said five roads would be tarmacked and a Sh1.8 billion water project constructed. He also promised residents an affordable housing project.