Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has told off former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly setting the country in an electioneering mood.

Wandayi launched a veiled attack on Gachagua over his Sunday declaration that he was raring to launch a political party and dared him to go ahead.

“I watched on television on Sunday and saw that somebody was making a declaration about his political ambitions, but it’s not the right time for such. However, we can only tell him to go ahead and meet us ahead after we have finished with our development agenda,” the CS said.

He said early campaigns launched by the government’s detractors were meant to divide the country along regional and tribal lines, something he said was against the spirit of national unity.

“Any country which wants to develop must have a unity of purpose which is contrary to what our political detractors are preaching,” he said.

Wandayi was in Nyamira county to launch Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) projects in Kitutu Masaba, West Mugirango and North Mugirango constituencies valued at Sh620 million.

In North Mugirango, the CS commissioned connectivity projects at Sengera in Ekerenyo, Girigiri in West Mugirango and Bochura in Kitutu Masaba.

Service delivery

While addressing residents, he stressed that the broad-based government was focused on delivering on its mandate and assured Kenyans that his ministry will work with all elected leaders, irrespective of party affiliation, in making sure residents get better services.

The CS asked other political leaders to give President William Ruto time to fulfil his campaign pledges.

“Its unfortunate that some political leaders have started putting the country in a campaign mood three years to the next election, a factor that is threatening service delivery and development to Kenyans,” he said.

Wandayi was accompanied by MPs Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Stephen Mogaka (West Mugirango), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Irene Mayaka (Nominated) and Nyamira Senator Okong’o Mogeni.

Gisairo praised the broad-based government saying its mode of working was enhanced and that inclusivity in development and service delivery has started showing.