Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has decried the frustrations he is facing during his recent tours, alleging that an Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) in Budalangi blocked him from addressing residents.
In an official statement, Salasya claimed he was yet to identify the OCPD but expressed disappointment that he could not deliver his planned speech.
“It was disheartening to witness security personnel shutting down a speech that held the potential to benefit the community. Today in Port Victoria, I, Peter Salasya, was surprised to see an OCPD—whose identity I do not know—abruptly cancel my planned speech,” Salasya stated.
However, the MP later managed to address a section of residents by the roadside, away from the original venue.
“I had a lot of development agendas I wanted to share with the people, but the OCPD stopped me, telling me I couldn't speak, despite the law granting us the right to freedom of speech and assembly,” Salasya added.
Among the proposals Salasya had for the residents, on which he challenged the current government to act, was the establishment of a fish processing industry in Budalangi to create job opportunities for the local population.
Salasya has recently been making waves in Kenyan politics with his increased grassroots activities.
He has been holding rallies across Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties, seeking to mobilise the youth and reshape the political landscape in Western Kenya.
Speaking on Thursday, the MP urged the youth to turn out in large numbers for the 2027 General Election and encouraged those without identification cards to register. According to Salasya, the youth hold the key to transforming the nation.
Additionally, he called on leaders from the Western and Nyanza regions to unite and speak with one voice.
Salasya likened his political movement to that of Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, who has been consolidating power and stabilising his leadership.
Recently, Traoré’s government thwarted a major coup attempt allegedly involving both active and retired soldiers working with revolutionary groups to destabilise the country.
