Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has strongly criticized President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of prioritizing publicity over tangible development. Speaking at a funeral in Webuye on Friday, Wamalwa echoed Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria’s remarks, which called out the government for what he termed excessive focus on public relations rather than delivering on its promises.
Wamalwa cited a recent visit by President Ruto to Bungoma County, where he launched a transformer in Webuye East. However, he claimed that residents had yet to see any physical infrastructure to support the project. “They came here for six days. Ruto was in Lugulu and Hamoni launching a transformer in Webuye East, yet we haven’t even seen the posts or wires,” he lamented.
The former Defense Cabinet Secretary further accused the government of misusing state resources for publicity. “The amount of money spent bringing six planes from Nairobi to Webuye East surpasses the KSh 50 million market that was launched. Stop this PR,” he asserted.
Wamalwa also defended Archbishop Muheria, who has faced criticism from government allies for stating that Ruto’s administration is operating like an advertising agency. “Some people are attacking Bishop Muheria, claiming he disrespected the President. No, we want to say that the Kenya Kwanza government is indeed a PR agency,” Wamalwa insisted.
Archbishop Muheria had earlier made headlines by urging the Ruto administration to shift its focus from rhetoric to action. While speaking at Consolata Mathari Hospital, he criticized the government for spending more resources on promoting its projects than on actual implementation.
“There has to be less rhetoric. Stop advertising what you will do act! The government is not an advertising agency. It should be implementing projects, and that’s what we want to see,” the Archbishop stated.
He further called on the government to adhere to proper governance systems instead of engaging in endless public campaigns. “How I wish we could shelve all these insults, noise, and demeaning statements and begin to appreciate one another,” he added.
In response, President Ruto, his deputy Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and other government allies dismissed the criticism, arguing that informing citizens about development projects is part of their constitutional mandate.
“We are determined to build a united and equitable nation. We will continue telling Kenyans what we are doing as a government,” Ruto stated during a burial service in Kilifi County.
With growing concerns over unfulfilled promises, Wamalwa also urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to expedite the appointment of new commissioners to oversee upcoming by-elections. The debate over the government’s communication strategy is likely to continue shaping Kenya’s political discourse in the coming weeks.
