Former Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) boss Irungu Nyakera has called out what he terms a sudden development rush in Mbeere North, saying it exposes how government projects are often used as political bait rather than genuine service to the people.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Nyakera said it was suspicious that government officials had suddenly flocked to Mbeere North with promises of development just as the area prepares for a by-election.

“It seems the only way to get development in Kenya is to have a by-election. Every CS and PS is suddenly on the road to Mbeere North in the name of ‘development tours’,” Nyakera wrote.

He said the trend shows how leaders have turned basic public services into campaign tools, ignoring communities until elections approach. “If by-elections are what it takes for development to come to the constituencies, then Parliament should quickly pass the MP recall law so that we can remove tugeges, and by so doing, get development,” he added.

His remarks come as several Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries tour Mbeere North, announcing road projects, water initiatives, and school upgrade activities that have drawn mixed reactions among residents. Among the leaders who toured Mbeere North are the host Governor Cecily Mbarire, Energy PS Alex Wachira, and PS State Department for TVETs Esther Mwaria, among others.

For Nyakera, the timing raises red flags. He argues that such development tours often serve as political shows meant to influence voters rather than deliver long-term impact.

Many Kenyans have questioned why leaders wait until campaigns or by-elections to listen to citizens’ needs.

As Mbeere North heads toward a tense by-election, Nyakera’s remarks have sparked fresh debate about fairness in government development. His call for the MP recall law, which would allow voters to remove underperforming legislators, has resonated with many Kenyans online who feel neglected by their representatives between elections.

For Nyakera, the message is simple: development should not depend on politics; it should be a right, not a reward.