Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi. File Photo 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has strongly condemned the disruption of a budget review meeting organized by civil society groups at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, accusing the government of tolerating and facilitating the use of hired gangs to intimidate critics and suppress dissenting voices.
Speaking while reacting to the incident, Mwangangi said it was unfortunate that the country was witnessing a resurgence of political violence and what he described as "goonism" at a time when the government possesses all the necessary security institutions mandated to enforce law and order.
The Deputy Governor alleged that instead of relying on official security agencies, the government was increasingly using unemployed youths as political tools to intimidate fellow citizens.
“We are seeing young people, many of whom have been denied employment opportunities, being used against their fellow Kenyans. This is dangerous and unacceptable in a democratic society,” he said.
Mwangangi expressed concern that the Kenya Kwanza administration, which he noted had heavily relied on churches and religious institutions during its campaign period, had now turned against the same institutions by allowing attacks on meetings hosted in places of worship.
He singled out the disruption of the budget public participation forum at All Saints Cathedral, describing it as an assault on democratic freedoms and civic engagement.
The Deputy Governor further criticized the recently approved national budget, arguing that it primarily serves the interests of a few individuals within government rather than addressing the needs of ordinary Kenyans.
According to him, the budget is likely to deepen poverty levels, undermine devolution, and worsen economic hardships facing citizens across the country.
“This is not a budget for the common mwananchi. It is a budget that benefits those at the top while leaving ordinary Kenyans to bear the burden of rising costs and economic challenges,” he said.
Mwangangi warned leaders against creating divisions among Kenyans through politics, noting that the country was increasingly becoming polarized along regional and ethnic lines.
He recalled that Kenya had long been admired for its unity and peaceful coexistence, but cautioned that the current political climate risked eroding those gains.
“Let us stop setting Kenyans against one another. We should not allow political interests to divide citizens on the basis of tribe, region, or political affiliation,” he said.
The Deputy Governor urged the national leadership to use the remainder of its term to promote national cohesion and unity rather than deepen political tensions.
He warned that continued political intolerance and violence could have serious consequences for the country's stability if left unchecked.
Mwangangi maintained that Kenyans desire peace and dialogue and called on all leaders to safeguard the country's democratic space and protect the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble, express their views, and participate in public affairs without fear or intimidation.This version follows a balanced newspaper style while clearly capturing the Deputy Governor's allegations, criticisms, and warnings.
