Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa has condemned Saturday’s incident where a gubernatorial candidate on UDP ticket was attacked and brutally injured in Tongaren by the alleged Ford Kenya crew attached to Tongaren Ford Kenya parliamentary candidate John Chikati as he urged Kenyans to maintain peace and allow all politicians to sell their agenda across the country and County.
Speaking on West FM during Cross Fire show, he insisted that whoever participated in the ugly scene should be aware that the security agencies are on the lookout and they will be brought to book anytime, as he encouraged politicians and Kenyans at large not to involve in causing of chaos during this campaign period for it is against the electoral law.
He thanked the President and the former Premier for they accepted to come together and work for the benefit of Kenyans as they initiated the handshake as he said that after 2017 elections there was much tension but the two tried and calmed everything, as August polls is nearing there is no tension like it used to be in the past where people could threaten others, even went ahead to burn their houses to instill fear in them so that they could not participate in the electing of their preferred candidates.
He said that he hopes for the same to happen after the August polls when the two Presidential candidates will accept the results and work together for the good of Kenyans. He added that as the Defence CS he is working hand in hand with Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i to ensure that peace prevails during the August polls.
On Nzoia Sugar farmer’s grievances on delayed payment, CS Wamalwa said that the last meeting the government met farmers at Nzoia it released about 40% cash to cater for farmer’s debts and said some cash was sent to do maintenance and by next week the factory will start processing sugar. He said that on Tuesday 2nd August they will be visiting the Company again to give them their balance as he said that the money won’t be given to the management but channeled direct to the farmer’s accounts.
On why the government moves swift by doing projects that were promised after a long period he said at times it is due to the agreement that perhaps was made by the management on when the project has to be launched for instance the Nzoia Sugar Company case after the government officials visited it they assured them they will be ready on 11th July but due to Covid-19 and the Ukraine war led to the delay and that is why they will be coming the following week to clear all the debts they promised.
He said that sugar sector has had many challenges therefore the government is trying to get a long lasting solution though sugar reforms has been facing resistance as he alleged that there are cartels who does not want sugar industry to grow for their own selfish interests as he thanked Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi for tabling the bill in the national assembly but was never passed in the Senate up to date and yet Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and the Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka were in position to push for its passage in the Senate.
He defended the coming of the President in Western the following week as he said that the President of Kenya does not need any permission to visit any part of the country as he revealed that he will be coming to bring charters to Alupe University and Kaimosi Friends University, clear the Nzoia debts and other projects.
On any project done and launched in Western that billions of money has been used like other regions in the country having billion projects commissioned, Wamalwa cited the Kisumu –Kakamega road, Kitale-Kolongolo road, the money brought in Nzoia Sugar Company, he mentioned the Kibabii University that has led to the growth of the economy in Bungoma for these totals to billions of money brought in Western by the Jubilee government.
On the President’s order to reduce maize flour to shs 100 per 2kg packet, Wamalwa said that there are challenges on the implementation as he revealed that the government has already released money to cater for the same.
He urged Kenyans to turn up in large numbers on 9th August to participate in the General Elections as it is their democratic right and elect leaders who will unite Kenyans and enable them live peacefully anywhere in the country. He said that there are four Presidential candidates but as things are at the moment the August race is a two horse race between DP Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga as he said that from the two; one will be the 5th President. He confidently said that Raila will be sworn in as the 5th President of Kenya after 9th August polls and he has reasons on that.
He revealed that their differences with DP Ruto is the sentiment he made on Trans Nzoia people about some communities to move out of the County since the ancestral land belongs to Pokot community as he said that himself was brought up in Trans Nzoia and they have been living happily with other communities. He said he won’t entertain leaders who preach disunity according to tribal lines.
He alleged that Kenya Kwanza alliance has not indicated clearly the positions that Western people will be given if it forms government since Ruto has been seen and heard in public when in Mt. Kenya saying that number one is Ruto himself, number two is Gachagua and number three is Kithure Kindiki and wondered why Wetangula and Musalia are not featuring anywhere. When asked about the Western people’s position in Azimio, Wamalwa said that Governor Oparanya will be a Finance Minister and he will retain the Defense post when Azimio forms government.
He accused Wetangula for vying as Bungoma Senator and yet he has been promised the position of Senate Speaker as he said that Wetangula believes that Ruto won’t win this election or else he relinquishes his bid as Bungoma Senator as he added that Kenneth Marende was vying as Vihiga Governor but when they made an agreement of being given the National Assembly Speaker he surrendered the bid and now concentrating on Azimio campaigns since he is sure that he will get the post when Raila becomes the President.
He rubbished claims that Wetangula and Musalia will deliver Western votes to Ruto and said that Musalia himself was unable to garner 70% when he vied and was surprised where the two will get votes.
How his position as Defence CS has helped Western people, CS Wamalwa proudly said he is the first Luhya to be appointed in such a position since Kenya got independence so in the first place according to him it is an honour and said that he is in-charge of all boundaries and he has intelligence of the whole country and urged Western people to vote for Raila so as the post is retained.
About the conflict between leaders of Azimio in Bungoma as stated last week by Sirisia MP John Waluke, Wamalwa urged all Azimio leaders to stop washing their dirty linen in public but sort out their issues privately and concentrate towards seeing that Raila clinches the Presidential seat.
