Mumias East MP Peter Salasya on Saturday slammed President William Ruto and Kenya Kwanza lawmakers over what he described as misplaced priorities while referring to the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking during an event in Bukhalalire, Busia County, Salasya expressed his opinion that Kenya is currently facing other critical issues that need to be looked at instead of the country committing too much time on matters that will not elevate the plight of the common mwananchi.
While making his remarks, Salasya asked President William Ruto to divert his energy on service delivery instead of resorting to political sideshows that were not going to benefit the nation in any way.
‘’Based on the political situation in the country, we have reached a point where we must ask question ourselves where we are headed. I want to ask the President, the way you were rushing the MPs on Gachagua impeachment as if that was the work that you were elected to do,’’ Salasya stated.
He added that the President should call his MPs to order and put them to task on why they had not applied the same energy to pass bills that would be beneficial to citizens.
‘’Ask those MPs how many bills they have since passed in Parliament that would likely be able to uplift the lives of the common mwananchi. All you want to do is pass bills that are only of interest to you and not the citizens,’’
The lawmaker also put the government on the spot for rushing to implement projects without adequate public participation, thereby disrupting key services.
He added that since the shift to the new health insurance scheme, critical health services have been disrupted affecting Kenyans in a negative way.
‘’Look at government projects, they have now retired the NHIF and transitioned to SHIF. Naturally, there should be progress. However, the whole medical health insurance scheme is a mess, nothing is working," he stated.
‘’You even abolished the Unique Personal Identifier(UPI) that was taking care of our students, how do you want them to be treated? You claim to be our leaders, where are you leading us to?,’’
Salasya further revealed that he voted against impeaching Rigathi Gachagua since it was not a priority for Kenyans. He instead urged Ruto to address the differences between him and the ousted DP.
He also added that it was wrong for the government to send staff at Gachagua's office on compulsory leave even before the court pronounces itself on the fate of the former second in command.
‘’I voted no on the issue of Gachagua’s impeachment because I knew that it was not beneficial in any way to the citizens. You should go solve your differences, that cannot be an agenda of the nation,’’ Salasya added.
‘’He must be listened to, you have even taken his people home, that is not in accordance with the law, we are waiting for the court's decision, it is only until the matter is determined that you can take such a decision,’’
