Salasya: If I become president, my first steps will not dwell on infrastructure
By Joel Masibo, December 14, 2025Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has outlined an economic-focused vision for Kenya, stating that if elected president, his priority would not be infrastructure development but fixing the country’s economic fundamentals to address unemployment and improve the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.
In a statement shared via X on Sunday, December 14, 2025, the vocal MP said his leadership would concentrate on the “economics of this great country called Kenya,” noting that widespread joblessness remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
Salasya’s development agenda differs with President William Ruto’s plan that focus on moving Kenya from third-world to first-world by improving nationwide infrastructure such as road network and housing.
Forget infrastructure first!
”When I become president, my first steps will not dwell on infrastructure; I will dwell on the economics of this great country called Kenya, millions of Kenyans have no jobs that must be addressed in my leadership,” Salasya said.
He argued that Kenya possesses advanced human capital that is currently underutilised, a situation he described as unacceptable in a country with such immense potential. Salasya expressed concern over the growing trend of Kenyans seeking work abroad under harsh and exploitative conditions.
He said it is wrong for citizens to “get into slavery in foreign countries and suffer,” adding that under his leadership, Kenyans would only go abroad as professionals or business people with dignified contracts, fair salaries, and safe working conditions.
Central to his vision is transforming Kenya into an industrial hub for Africa. Salasya said his administration would introduce policies aimed at shifting the country from being a net importer to a net exporter. By creating a favourable business environment, he believes international companies would see the value of producing goods in Kenya rather than manufacturing in their countries of origin and exporting to the Kenyan market.
Africa’s industrial hub
”Kenya has advanced human capital, and it’s wrong to allow our people to get into slavery in foreign countries and suffer the way they are going through in foreign countries. Kenyans will only go to do business in foreign countries or as professionals with good contracts and salaries. Kenya will be an industrial hub in Africa. I will create policies that will make Kenya a net exporter and not a net importer,” Salasya said.
The legislator also weighed in on the cost of living, particularly fuel and electricity prices, which he said are major drivers of inflation. He appealed to President William Ruto not to introduce further securitisation on fuel, warning that such moves would burden future generations.
Drawing a regional comparison, Salasya noted that fuel prices in Uganda stand at about Ksh172 per litre despite the country being landlocked, while Kenyans pay around Ksh184 per litre.
”My kind request to the president is not to bring more securitisation on fuel again, because this will hurt generations to come here in Uganda. Fuel is 172 per litre, and as we are at 184 per litre, yet they are a landlocked country.” Salasya said.
He pledged that lowering the price of fuel and electricity would be a key priority in his presidency, arguing that affordable energy is critical to reducing production costs, stimulating industrial growth, and creating jobs.