Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has come out strongly against Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, accusing him of using poverty as a tool to keep the Ukambani region under his control and away from meaningful development.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 10, Mutua claimed that Kalonzo has for years used what he termed a Political Poverty Strategy (PPS)—a political tactic aimed at keeping the people poor so they remain dependent on him.
According to Mutua, this strategy has caused Ukambani to lag behind other regions in Kenya such as Nyanza, Mt. Kenya, and North Eastern.
Mutua said the slow pace of development in Ukambani is not by accident but rather a deliberate plan by Kalonzo to maintain psychological control over the Kamba community.
He explained that the PPS is based on denying people access to progress so they always look up to one political figure as their only hope.
“The Political Poverty Strategy is a system designed to gain and retain power by keeping followers in poverty,” Mutua said. “The goal is to create a situation where people constantly see one leader as their saviour, the one person they depend on for change, even though no change ever comes.”
He added that this method thrives on the belief that people who are economically empowered tend to think independently, ask questions, and demand accountability—something that is threatening to leaders who want to control communities.
Mutua also criticized the popular Kamba phrase “vomwe na vayetwa,” which means “resist and be hardened.” He argued that Kalonzo has used this slogan to encourage the community to accept suffering as normal, rather than pushing for development.
In his view, the phrase is being misused to justify the lack of progress in Ukambani by telling people that enduring hardship is honorable.
The CS compared Kalonzo to ODM leader Raila Odinga, who, despite also spending years in the opposition, has made peace with the government through political “handshakes” that have led to massive development projects in the Nyanza region.
Mutua questioned why Kalonzo has not pursued a similar approach for the benefit of his people.
Calling for change, Mutua urged the Kamba community to stop following a path that keeps them in poverty.
He emphasized that his message is not intended to incite disrespect or insults toward Kalonzo, but rather to open the eyes of the people to what he believes is a form of political manipulation.
“I want to be very clear—nobody should insult or attack Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka. He deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” Mutua stated. “However, that does not mean we should stay silent. We must expose and confront the truth.
His leadership approach has resulted in the deaths of mothers during childbirth, the deepening poverty of our elderly, and a lack of opportunities for our youth. The pain our people are experiencing is a direct result of this Political Poverty Strategy.”
Mutua also accused Kalonzo of opposing key development projects like roads, dams, water supply, electricity, better schools, health facilities, agricultural support, and job creation.
He said such opposition is aimed at keeping the region underdeveloped and over-reliant on one political figure.
To support his claims, Mutua pointed to the condition of Kalonzo’s own village in Tseikuru. He said that despite Kalonzo having once served as Kenya’s Vice President, his neighborhood remains underdeveloped.
According to Mutua, this shows that the problem is not lack of opportunity, but rather a deliberate choice to keep things stagnant.
In conclusion, Mutua called for a complete shift in mindset among the Kamba people. He urged them to reject Kalonzo’s “vomwe na vayetwa” ideology and instead adopt a new slogan: “vololoe na mutua,” meaning “liberate and transform.”
He said this new approach is what will finally bring growth, prosperity, and dignity to the people of Ukambani.
“This is the moment for our people to rise, to let go of the chains of poverty that have been put on us by political games. We must choose transformation and a better future,” he said.
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