Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi Speaking during a public participation forum in Ndunduni, Kangundo Sub-County. Photo Facebook Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of fostering a climate of political intolerance, warning that the country risks sliding into civil strife if the trend continues.
Speaking during a public participation forum in Ndunduni, Kangundo Sub-County, Mwangangi questioned why heavy police presence and hired goons were deployed to counter the return of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, terming it an unnecessary show of political fear.
“For the first time in the history of this country, we are seeing a lot of political intolerance. Kenya Kwanza seems so scared that they even find a problem in someone just being welcomed back to his country,” Mwangangi said.
“Why do you have to send goons and thugs to attack a harmless person?”
The Deputy Governor noted that allowing a leader to greet supporters upon return should not trigger police crackdowns.
“Where is the problem with someone simply acknowledging greetings from his supporters after being away for a while?” he posed.
Mwangangi further claimed that the country’s image has been severely dented by corruption scandals, citing reports ranking President William Ruto among the top most corrupt leaders globally.
“Today, our country has become a laughing stock internationally. A country whose President has been ranked the second most corrupt person in the world—who will have the confidence to invest in such a country?” he said.
He warned that when governments organize attacks on opponents instead of addressing national challenges, the result is often civil unrest.
“This is how civil strife begins—when those in power feel threatened and start unleashing attacks on opponents for no reason. Eventually, the country becomes ungovernable,” Mwangangi cautioned.
The Machakos Deputy Governor also raised concerns about what he termed the “greatest theft of public resources in history,” questioning the source of funds behind political empowerment programs.
“Within a month, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders have dished out more than Sh200 million each. We know their salaries. Which business can generate such huge sums in such a short time?” he asked.
He argued that such spending points to entrenched corruption and theft of public resources at the highest levels of government.
Mwangangi insisted that Kenya needed fresh leadership, praising Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a “sober statesman” who has remained untainted by corruption despite decades in politics.
“We need somebody like Kalonzo Musyoka to take this country back to where it should be. He has been in leadership for the longest time and has never been involved in stealing public funds,” he said.
The Deputy Governor emphasized the need for national unity and accountability, warning that without change, Kenya risked losing both investor confidence and its democratic stability.
