Kawaya hits out at Kalonzo after state advertises road to Wiper leader’s home

Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya has launched a scathing attack on Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka following the government’s move to advertise the construction of a road leading to the opposition chief’s rural home in Kitui County.

Speaking after the announcement, Kawaya said the move underscored President William Ruto’s commitment to delivering development without discrimination, even to leaders who are openly opposed to his administration.

He argued that the decision to prioritise the road demonstrated that the government was focused on service delivery rather than political vendettas.

“This shows that President Ruto is a leader for all Kenyans. He does not discriminate, even against his political rivals. Development must reach everyone, regardless of their political affiliation,” Kawaya said.

The Mwala MP, who is President Ruto’s point man in Ukambani and also serves as the UDA national organising secretary, used the opportunity to criticise Kalonzo’s long political career, arguing that it had not translated into tangible development for his home area or the wider region.

Kawaya lamented that despite holding senior positions in government for decades, including serving as Vice President, Kalonzo did not influence the construction of the road.

“Charity begins at home. If you have not delivered any development, including in your own village, you do not deserve to be elected to any position in Kenya,” Kawaya said while addressing a meeting in Makutano, Mwala Constituency.

He went on to contrast Kalonzo’s record with what he termed Ruto’s results-driven leadership, saying the current administration was focused on completing stalled projects and initiating new ones across the country.

According to Kawaya, the road project was not only necessary for the local community but also carried political symbolism.

“President Ruto has built many roads across the country, but this one is a political masterstroke. It will benefit someone who has been in leadership for many years but failed to deliver it,” he added.

The remarks come amid rising political tension between Ruto’s allies and Kalonzo as the country slowly gears up for the 2027 General Election.

The rivalry has increasingly played out through public exchanges over development projects, particularly roads in Ukambani.

Ruto, who addressed the gathering by phone, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering key infrastructure projects in the region, including the Kyuso–Tseikuru road.

He said his government was keen on opening up rural areas to boost trade, improve access to markets and enhance service delivery.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) advertised works to upgrade to bitumen standards the Kandwia–Kyuso and Kyuso–Tseikuru road sections in Mwingi North Constituency.

The development comes against the backdrop of heightened exchanges between Ruto and Kalonzo.

On December 15, the Head of State took a direct swipe at the Wiper leader, questioning why the road to his home remained in poor condition despite his more than 40 years in politics and his tenure as Vice President during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.

“How do you campaign for development when the road to your own home is still dusty?” Ruto posed.

In response, Kalonzo accused the President of obsessing over him instead of focusing on rolling out infrastructure development across the country.

The former Vice President defended his record, insisting that during his years in public service he oversaw major infrastructure initiatives in Kitui County and the broader Ukambani region.