South Mugirango Member of Parliament (MP) Silvanus Osoro has cautioned Mount Kenya residents against voting out leaders without clear better alternatives.
Osoro has warned that the habit of voting just to punish a politician is detrimental to the development of the region and it undermines the principles of democracy.
Speaking in Nyeri on Friday when he joined Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki and other elected leaders for an empowerment forum at the Moi Nyeri Complex primary school, Osoro advised the residents to change their voting patterns and focus on vetting and electing leaders based on their vision or their development track record.
“The people of this region cast their votes with the aim of sending home leaders without identifying their replacement. They do not pause to ask if the leader has achieved anything for them, they just wake up on the polling day with the goal of voting them out. I want to urge you not to base your votes on emotions instead, you should use your brain to make sound decisions and vote in a leader who will deliver development,” stated Osoro.
Osoro, who is the chief whip of the United Democratic Alliance party in the National Assembly, also warned Kenyans against allowing political rivalries to fuel their division amongst them. Citing the example of the 2022 general elections which he termed as a two horse between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga, Osoro said that politicians will always find a way of resolving their differences and working together to further their interests. He said that rather than paying too much attention to political intrigues, Kenyans should focus on holding their elected leaders accountable.
“All politicians are the same. Whenever there is a falling out amongst us, we sit and agree how to resolve our issues. Do not kill your brother because of a politician because today I may have a fallout with another politician and they will say bad things about me. Tomorrow, when we reconcile, they will say I am a good person,” said Osoro.
“The 2022 elections was a race between two rivals President Ruto and Raila. Today, they are together in Homabay while you are here wondering if you made the right decision at the ballot. As an ordinary mwananchi, your concern is about development. Do not waste your energy getting angry at a politician who will switch loyalty and allegiance tomorrow,” he added.
Osoro also cautioned Kenyans against blindly following the opposition in opposing the current administration. He at the same time called out politicians perpetuating the Wantam slogan for failing to bring any meaningful contribution to the political discourse. He at the same time called out the opposition leaders for misleading Kenyans to vote out the current administration come 2027 general elections without outlining their agenda.
“As we speak, some of you have been told to chant Wantam but when asked who you will replace the president with, you do not have a candidate in mind. And probably, you will end up chanting Wantam again one month after elections. Politics is not a crusade, it is not about preaching, it is about service delivery,” he said.
Present during the empowerment drive were Principal Secretaries Anne Wang’ombe (Gender), Silvia Museiya (Wildlife) and Alex Wachira (Energy). Also in attendance were MPs Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri town), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), Women Representatives, Rahab Mukami (Nyeri) Muthoni Marubu (Lamu) and Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga.
On his part, Kikuyu legislator Kimani Ichung’wa cautioned the region against isolating itself politically from the rest of the country. He said contrary to what the opposition was preaching, the region is not strong enough to accomplish anything on its own.
“The biggest tragedy for Mount Kenya will be separating itself from the rest of Kenya. If we allow ourselves to operate as one tribe, we are likely to lose a lot. That is why we are asking that the country remains united. Let us not agree to be divided along political and tribal lines,” he stated.
During the empowerment drive, a total of 6.9 million was raised. Ichung’wa said that the Kenya Kwanza administration will continue to hold empowerment drives throughout the country in spite of criticism from their detractors. He said that the drives were in line with the UDA manifesto where the current administration pledged to uplift and dignify the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
“Bottom-up was not a campaign slogan, it is a work plan that is why we are constructing affordable houses and modern markets so that we can uplift the lives of hustlers like the mama mbogas and the boda boda riders. In addition to social empowerment, we also want to empower them economically so that they are able to afford these houses and the markets that we are constructing for them,” said Ichung’wa.