Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has blamed former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka for the slow pace of development in the Ukambani region, accusing him of deliberately holding back progress as a means of maintaining political control.

In a statement issued on June 11, 2025, CS Mutua compared Ukambani’s developmental status with that of other regions such as Nyanza, Mt Kenya, and North Eastern, which he said have made significant progress.

 According to Mutua, Ukambani’s stagnation is not by chance but the result of a calculated political tactic.

“The slow pace of development in the Ukambani region compared to areas such as Nyanza, Mt Kenya, and North Eastern is not accidental. It is part of a deliberate strategy by Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka to maintain psychological control over the Kamba people,” Mutua stated.

Mutua further described Kalonzo’s approach as the “Political Poverty Strategy” (PPS), a tactic he claimed is used by some politicians to deny development to their constituents so they can continue being seen as indispensable.

“The Political Poverty Strategy (PPS) is a political formula for acquiring and maintaining power by depriving followers of development. A: “The aim is to make them see a particular person as their ‘saviour’ and hope for the future,” he said.

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He went on to draw a contrast between Kalonzo and other national leaders like Raila Odinga, noting that Raila’s engagements with various governments have contributed to rapid development in his region, unlike in Ukambani, where Kalonzo has maintained an oppositional stance.

“Unlike Raila Odinga, who goes into every government to develop his region, Kalonzo Musyoka keeps away so that he can tell his people, ‘When I get there, you will see Canaan,’ but others are seeing Canaan today. It is a strategy to keep you poor to keep you suffering while others are enjoying the fruits of the country,” he said.

Mutua also addressed the recent political meeting held at his home, pointing out that it revealed the lack of tangible progress in Kalonzo’s own neighbourhood despite his past role in government.

However, he cautioned against insults directed at the Wiper Party leader.

“I emphasise that no one should insult leaders and that Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka must be treated with respect and decorum. But he must also be exposed,” he stated.

Mutua concluded by calling on Ukambani residents to hold all leaders accountable and not allow political loyalty to blind them to the realities of underdevelopment.