- President William Ruto criticized Makueni MCA during his visit to Ukambani after the ward’s representative gave his instructions at a public event
- MCA had reminded Ruto of his 2021 promises to build the Mooni bridge and issue the title deeds in Nguu, asking him to return to launch the projects
- Ruto ordered Lands Minister Alice Wahome to release the pending letter and instructed Roads Minister Davis Chirchir to fund and complete the bridge
- The president slammed the MCA for “giving orders to the president,” saying it reflected his bottom-up model
Development visit of the President William Ruto in the Ukambani area has had its own kind of saga.
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In Makueni county, the situation turned dramatic on Wednesday, November 12, after he publicly reprimanded the local ward representative who appeared to give his orders during a public address.
The President, who was on the first leg of his three-day visit to Ukambani, was inspecting and launching several infrastructure projects when the Member of Parliament for the County (MCA) took the microphone.
The ward representative used the opportunity to make a series of prayers on behalf of his constituents.
What did MCA Cosmas Mutunga pray for?
He started by thanking Ruto for his visit before reminding him of the previous promise he made to the people of Nguu in 2021, several months before the general election.
MCA he reiterated that at that time, Ruto, who was then the Deputy President, promised to build the Mooni Bridge, give title deeds to the residents of Nguu, and expand access to electricity in the constituency as soon as he was elected.
He admitted that the plan to supply electricity has started but noted that progress was slow.
The MCA continued to discuss another issue regarding the Kibumbu Housing Plan, where he said county funds have been allocated to facilitate land surveying and the issuance of title deeds.
“I have spoken to the minister, and we are only waiting for one letter from his office so that the remaining people can be investigated and given the title. And I am asking you, with all due respect, that next year in February, if your son is here in Makueni, please come to Matutu yourself to hand over the title and officially open the bridge,” MCA said.
“I have spoken to the minister, and we are only waiting for one letter from his office so that the remaining people can be investigated and given the title. And I am asking you, with all due respect, that next year in February, if your son is here in Makueni, please come to Matutu yourself to hand over the title and officially open the bridge,” MCA said.
How did Ruto respond to those requests?
The President, looking amused but firm, responded by instructing Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to ensure the pending letter was dealt with immediately.
He also instructed the Minister of Roads Davis Chirchir to allocate funds for the completion of the Mooni bridge.
“Alice, that letter is needed from this guy in order for us to issue a patent. You, the Minister of Roads, I owe this man a bridge called Mooni. Allocate money for it, and by February, I expect the bridge to be completed. OK?” Ruto said, and excited the crowd.
Then, turning to the MCA, Ruto paused for a moment, laughing, before delivering a sharp but light rebuke that left the crowd in fits of laughter.
He continued to defend MCA’s actions, linking it to its popular bottom-up strategy aimed at empowering and uplifting those at the lowest levels of society.
“But now you, MCA, are coming to give me orders during my meeting. Don’t you know that I am the President of Kenya? You see, this is what we mean by a bottom-up perspective. The lower man pushes the higher,” Ruto said.
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