By Andrew Mbuva
As President William Ruto prepares for his long-awaited visit to Ukambani, former Machakos Town Member of Parliament Victor Munyaka has launched a scathing attack, accusing the Head of State of sidelining the region for the past three years and only considering a visit now as an afterthought.
Munyaka, a former ally of President Ruto, did not mince his words as he questioned the motive behind the planned tour, suggesting it is driven more by political optics than genuine concern for the people of Ukambani.
“President Ruto is ashamed of visiting Ukambani because in three years since he became President, he has absolutely nothing to show for this region,” Munyaka told reporters. “He has been to other regions like Coast, Western, Nyanza, Central, and North Eastern several times, yet Ukambani has been ignored until now. That’s why he called our leaders to State House—he doesn’t even know where to begin.”
Munyaka decried what he termed as a deliberate and consistent marginalization of the region under the Kenya Kwanza administration. He said the few major national projects that exist in Ukambani were all initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta—and have since stalled.
“Thwake Dam, Konza City, the Kibwezi–Kitui–Mwingi Road, Athi River–Kyumbi dual carriageway, and even the Tala–Ndunyu Sabuk road are all stalled. A bridge was even swept away and has never been repaired. All these projects are still where Uhuru left them,” he lamented.
The former legislator further criticized the nature of public appointments given to leaders from the region, saying they are largely symbolic and lack influence to drive development.
“Look at the only Cabinet Secretary from Ukambani—Alfred Mutua. He holds the Labour Ministry, which has minimal developmental impact. It’s not like Transport, Energy, or Treasury where you can actually push for major projects for your community,” Munyaka said.
He also pointed out the dismissal of several influential Kamba figures who previously held top positions in government parastatals. “We had people like Joseph Kimote at the National Cereals and Produce Board, Pamela Mutua at KNTC, and Dr. Andrew Mulwa at KEMSA. They have all been removed. What message does that send?”
According to Munyaka, the current government has shown a clear pattern of favoring certain regions over others when it comes to both development and appointments.
“We constantly hear about appointments from regions like Rift Valley and Western, but hardly ever from Ukambani. We have been systematically excluded,” he said.
Munyaka warned that no amount of political theatrics would erase the region’s memory of being overlooked. “Let’s not be fooled by last-minute visits and photo ops. Ukambani needs tangible development, not token gestures. This visit is not out of love—it’s out of pressure and guilt.”
As the President prepares to tour the region, many will be watching to see whether his visit marks a turning point or remains, as Munyaka fears, just another public relations exercise in a region still waiting for meaningful change.
