Two Bungoma MPs have exchanged bitter words over the current high cost of living.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka criticized the Kenya Kwanza government for soaring fuel prices and escalating costs of essentials, urging the President to act swiftly.
The DAP-K MP called on regional Kenya Kwanza MPs to advocate for lowering living costs in their meetings with the head of state.
Asserting his role as an Azimio MP, Wamboka emphasized his commitment to his oversight duties, undaunted by intimidation.
“The likes of Dan Wanyama cannot come here and address President William Ruto the way I’m doing it because they are in government. My work as an opposition MP is to point out wrongdoings in government,” he said.
Wamboka emphasized that the Azimio team is committed to robustly criticizing the government, insisting that the President should treat the Western region equitably compared to other parts of the country.
He claimed that Kenya Kwanza lawmakers have repeatedly pressured him to speak to the President.
In response, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama argued that reducing the cost of living is challenging in the current economic climate, suggesting that fostering harmony and an environment conducive to economic growth is vital for affordability.
Highlighting the subsidized fertilizer initiative as a key measure, Wanyama asserted that President Ruto has a strategy to rejuvenate the economy.
“The economic recovery plans are underway but Kenyans should create harmony and an environment that can grow the economy,” Wanyama stated.
Wanyama, however, dismissed Wamboka’s claims that the Kenya Kwanza lawmakers push him to attack the government, noting that Wamboka’s criticism is targeted at President Ruto calling him.
Also present was former Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati, former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, MCAs among others.
Since they came to power, President William Ruto-led administration has on several occasions blamed the current economic crisis on the past regime.
Both Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have linked Uhuru’s administration to the current high cost of living.
However, the President this month said he had to make painful decisions to stabilize the economy.
The Head of State said he needed to step in and make the decisions to help the country not to plunge into debt distress.
"Our economy today is out of debt distress and that is the truth. If I had not stepped in, the kind of decisions I have made though painful, are necessary. I know they will cause pain. It is better to make those decisions now than get Kenya into debt distress," he said.
Ruto noted that Kenya was economically stable but had to still navigate rough waters.
The President stated that almost eight countries in Africa are in debt distress which is the worst thing a country can come to.
"All we have done is to avoid jumping from the cliff because we have put breaks in expenditure. We have negotiated a good package with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and with bilateral countries and that is why I have been on the road," he said.
"It was necessary for me to step in and stabilize so that Kenya doesn't go into debt distress."