Former Machakos Senator and Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Johnson Muthama speaking at a Past function. Photo Courtesy Facebook 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Former Machakos Senator and Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Johnson Muthama has sharply criticized Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi over remarks suggesting that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka should join the government to "rescue" the people of Lower Eastern from poverty, describing the comments as demeaning, insulting, and misleading.
In a strongly worded statement, Muthama said Sudi's remarks, made during a public meeting in Yatta two weeks ago, unfairly portrayed the people of Lower Eastern as uniquely poor while disregarding their resilience, self-reliance, and long history of community-driven development.
He said the statement had attracted concern from many Kenyans, including supporters of President William Ruto, who had urged him to respond to what he termed a damaging narrative about the region.
According to Muthama, Lower Eastern has produced generations of hardworking citizens who have consistently mobilized their own resources to establish schools, churches, health facilities, and numerous community projects without relying solely on government intervention.
"The people of Lower Eastern have initiated and completed development projects through their own determination, sacrifice and resources, just like other Kenyans across the country," he said.
He praised individuals from the region who have personally financed and completed projects before handing them over for public use, saying such efforts demonstrate the region's spirit of self-help and commitment to development.
Muthama further challenged Sudi to compare development indicators across different parts of the country before making sweeping statements about poverty. He argued that there are many regions facing greater socio-economic challenges than Lower Eastern and claimed that some areas, including Sudi's own region, still have schools operating under trees.
He maintained that the people of Lower Eastern cannot be manipulated through political rhetoric or financial inducements.
"We are people of dignity who stand firmly for our values, our interests and our future. We are hardworking, law-abiding citizens who believe in earning our progress honestly," he said.
Muthama urged leaders to exercise caution when addressing the public, warning that divisive and demeaning statements undermine national unity and fail to reflect the realities facing different communities across Kenya.
He noted that every region in the country faces unique development challenges and argued that no community should be singled out or stereotyped for political gain.
The former senator also warned that such remarks could undermine President William Ruto's efforts to project himself as a leader who treats all Kenyans equally regardless of their social or economic status.
"It is unfortunate when leaders use public platforms to demean fellow Kenyans because they are driven by personal or political interests rather than a genuine commitment to serve the people," Muthama said.
He added that President Ruto has consistently presented himself as a leader who walks alongside ordinary Kenyans and respects the dignity of every citizen, cautioning that statements perceived as belittling particular communities risk alienating supporters and creating unnecessary divisions.
Muthama concluded by calling on leaders to embrace respectful political discourse focused on solutions rather than rhetoric that demeans communities, emphasizing that all Kenyans deserve equal respect and recognition irrespective of where they come from.
