Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has announced plans to elevate Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya to a senior party position.

Speaking in Karen on Monday, January 27, 2025, during the launch of the new DAP-K party headquarters, Wamalwa said that Salasya’s elevation would be in recognition of his loyalty to the party and his relentless efforts in fighting for the rights of the Gen Zs.

Wamalwa further hailed the youthful lawmaker for speaking truth to power, pointing out his face off with President William Ruto during his recent development tour of the Western region, when Salasya told him that he was being lied to by his close advisors.

Wamalwa on Salasya’s elevation

According to Wamalwa, the DAP-K National Executive Committee (NEC) had already fronted Salasya’s name, which will be soon gazetted to take up the said senior position.

He hinted that Salasya will take up a senior position from a Kakamega county official who is currently facing a disciplinary committee for siding with President Ruto’s administration.

“Today I wanted to bring a special recognition to this team and tell Bwana Peter Salasya yakwamba in recognition of your efforts fighting as the champion of the Gen Zs, fighting as the champion of farmers kwa mambo ya Mumias, mambo ya mbolea fake, na wewe ndio umesimamisha Ruto damu huko Western kwa mambo ya SHA, wewe ulikataa mambo ya Finance Bill ya Zakayo….hata wakati walileta mambo ya Gachagua, huyu PK alisema yeye hawezi tumika kupiga Gachagua vita. Akasimama na MaGen Z.

“So today PK Salaysa in recognition of your outstanding loyalty to the party, loyalty to the course, and also kubeba bendera ya chama chetu, tuna kiongozi kwa county yetu ya Kakamega who is facing disciplinary matters kwa sababu anaenda against the party na anafanya kazi ya Zakayo badala ya kufanya kazi ya wananchi, NEC recommended and after consultations today, we want to elevate PK Salasya to a very senior position in our party. So PK utakuwa unapata barua yako and your name will be gazetted,” Wamalwa said.

Salasya addresses Ruto

Salasya stole the limelight during President Ruto’s event in Mumias, prompting the head of state to respond.

Salasya seized the opportunity to criticise the government’s operations, urging President Ruto to reconsider the advice he is receiving from some of his close allies.

Salasya grabbed the public’s attention when he addressed the president, calling out the government for what he termed a lack of transparency and poor decision-making.

“I want to ask you, Mr President, to hire me as your advisor because your people are not being honest with you,” Salasya said.

“They’re telling you SHA is working when it is not working. The new university funding model is not working. I know you have the heart to help the country, but there are cartels and traitors within your government.”

Ruto’s response

While responding to Salasya, Ruto hit out at the youthful first term MP, terming him as a young man who is after fame.

“Mpango yangu na nia yangu ni kubadilisha hii Kenya. Hii Kenya haiwezi kubadilishwa kiholela; haiwezi kubadilishwa kwa kupigiwa makofi. Kuna wengine hapa wananiambia ati niendelee kupigiwa makofi; mimi sihitaji kupigiwa makofi. Nyinyi ambao mnatafuta kupigiwa makofi, endeleeni; wale mnatafuta umaarufu, endeleeni kutafuta umaarufu. Unajua hawa watu wengine ni wageni wamefika juzi kwa hii siasa. Si mimi nimekuwa around hapa. Kama wewe ni mtu umefika hapa two three years ago, endelea kutafuta makofi,” Ruto said, in what appeared to be a direct reference to Salasya.

He went ahead to defend some of his key projects, among them the affordable housing project and the Universal Health Care dubbed Taifa Care that is being administered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), which Salasya had attacked in his address.

“Eeeh, Salasya, kwa sababu wewe uko na kazi sasa hutaki tupange hawa pia wawe na kazi? Hiyo ni ungwana kweli? Kwa sababu wewe uko na kazi, wacha na sisi pia tupange hawa pia wapate kazi,” Ruto said.