Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse addressing residents of Mukimwani in Kisau/Kiteta on June 22, 2026. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse has strongly criticized the planned June 25 demonstrations commemorating young Kenyans who lost their lives during the 2024 Gen Z protests, warning leaders against mobilizing young people for political demonstrations while remaining away from the frontline.
Speaking during an empowerment programme at Mukimwani in Kisau/Kiteta Ward on Sunday, the legislator challenged political leaders supporting the demonstrations to personally participate alongside their families instead of allegedly using vulnerable youths.
Mutuse argued that some leaders were exploiting unemployed youths by offering them small amounts of money to participate in protests, only to abandon them when tragedy strikes.
“We want to ask all leaders in Kenya that if you are planning demonstrations this week, then let us see you at the front, together with your wives and children. Stop using children from poor families for political purposes,” he said.
The MP claimed that some politicians only appear to mourn victims after violent incidents occur during demonstrations, yet they do not participate directly in the protests.
He further questioned why anti-government demonstrations associated with the opposition are frequently witnessed in parts of Ukambani such as Emali and other urban centres, while similar protests are rarely seen in areas such as Tseikuru and Mwingi.
According to Mutuse, repeated demonstrations have negatively affected the image of some young people from the region, alleging that some job seekers are unfairly profiled because of their perceived involvement in protests and unrest.
The UDA lawmaker also expressed confidence that President William Ruto would secure re-election in the next General Election, dismissing suggestions that the Head of State could be defeated.
Mutuse argued that President Ruto had previously overcome significant political odds during the 2022 elections despite facing opposition from the state establishment and rival political forces.
“People should not be misled into believing that President Ruto will lose the next election. If he defeated the state machinery in the previous election, it will be difficult to defeat him as the incumbent President,” he said.
The MP further attributed the region’s slow pace of development to its prolonged stay in the opposition, saying Ukambani had missed numerous development opportunities over the years.
He urged residents to make what he termed wise political decisions in future elections by supporting leaders aligned with the government.
At the same time, Mutuse announced that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) intends to field candidates in all elective positions across the Ukambani region, including Members of County Assembly, Members of Parliament, governors and senators.
He said the party would aggressively campaign to win the seats and become the dominant political force in the region.
Mutuse maintained that the region needed to shift from what he described as politics of poverty and embrace development-oriented leadership.
His remarks come ahead of the planned June 25 commemorative demonstrations organized by sections of Kenyan youth to honour those who lost their lives during the 2024 anti-government protests.
