National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Monday, January 20, responded to Mumias East MP Peter Salasya after the legislator delivered a fiery critique of President William Ruto’s administration during a public event in Mumias.
President Ruto was in the region for the historic commissioning of the first-ever bonus payments to sugarcane farmers. The event, hailed as a milestone in efforts to revive Kenya’s sugar sector, attracted several Western Kenya leaders, including Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Governor Fernandes Barasa, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, and Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Taking the opportunity to address the President directly, Salasya passionately criticized aspects of the government’s operations, accusing certain leaders within the administration of offering poor advice to the Head of State.
“I want us to ask one thing: where is the money we are giving these farmers coming from? We need to know because it was not in our budget,” Salasya remarked, questioning the source of the bonus payments.
The MP went further, offering himself as a potential advisor to the President, claiming the current advisors were not serving him well.
“Mr. President, hire me as one of your advisors because the people close to you are not telling you the truth. They’re saying SHA (Social Health Authority) is working when it is not. The new university funding model is not working. You have the heart to help this country, but cartels and traitors within your government don’t want you to know the truth,” Salasya claimed.
The outspoken legislator also urged the President to ease the financial burden on ordinary Kenyans, referencing the recent changes to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Wetang’ula’s Rebuttal
In his response, Speaker Wetang’ula defended the government’s initiatives, particularly the Social Health Authority program, urging critics to participate in the system before dismissing it.
“As the Speaker, I used to pay Ksh1,500 to the defunct NHIF. With SHA, I’m paying Ksh58,000 per month. If I get sick, I will not be covered by SHA. The money I pay is to help you because, as Parliamentarians, we have another insurance fund,” Wetang’ula stated.
He added, “Don’t say SHA is not working if you haven’t registered. Go and register, and if it’s not working, you will have the legitimacy to complain.”
The Speaker called for unity and urged Kenyans to exercise patience while supporting government reforms. He emphasized the importance of constructive criticism, encouraging citizens to voice their concerns respectfully.
