Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has explained why he skipped President William Ruto’s recent tour of the Western region.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 4, the MP said his absence was not driven by disrespect but by frustration over unfulfilled promises and stalled public projects.
“I wish to address my constituents and the people of Western Kenya regarding the recent tour by His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto across our region.
“As the elected Member of Parliament for Mumias East, I made a conscious decision not to attend the President’s engagements. This was not out of disrespect, but out of deep concern and disappointment over the government’s continued inaction on key development projects affecting our people,” he said.
Salasya cited several incomplete projects that, according to him, have become symbols of government inaction in Western Kenya.
“The Kakamega Airstrip, once a symbol of regional connectivity and economic promise, has remained grounded and neglected since operations were halted. The Kakamega County Referral Hospital, which should be a center of excellence in healthcare, continues to languish in an unfinished state.
“The Bukhungu Stadium which should be hosting international events and promoting youth talent has similarly been left hanging midway,” he added.
Salasya further noted that key infrastructure developments such as the Ibokolo–Shianda–Malaha–Nambacha–Navakholo Road have also stalled since the Kenya Kwanza administration took office.
“Furthermore, the Ibokolo–Shianda–Malaha–Nambacha–Navakholo Road, a critical artery for trade and movement within Kakamega County, has stalled since the beginning of this administration. These are not new projects; they are long-standing commitments repeatedly mentioned but never realized,” he further said.
Salasya also accused Ruto of recycling old promises during his latest Western Kenya tour, arguing that the region deserves measurable progress.
“During his visit, the President once again issued the same pledges and pronouncements that have characterized his previous tours to Western Kenya, a repetition of promises without timelines, budgets, or tangible follow-through. Our people have grown weary of these recurring statements that yield no visible change on the ground,” he stated.
Salasya insisted that loyalty to the people must come before political alignment, noting that Western Kenya leaders have a duty to speak up when development stagnates.
“As leaders, our loyalty must lie with the truth and with our people. Western Kenya deserves more than speeches and symbolic visits, it deserves action, completion, and accountability. Until we see meaningful progress on these stalled projects, I will continue to raise my voice firmly and respectfully in defense of the region’s development agenda,” he concluded.
This comes months after Salasya hit out at Ruto’s administration over the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement on Monday, May 2, the lawmaker criticized the government for deviating from the original promise of a free and inclusive healthcare system under SHA, turning what was meant to be a lifeline into a burden.
“When the idea of the Social Health Authority (SHA) was first introduced to the people of Kenya, it was marketed as a revolutionary policy meant to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their income or background, would access quality healthcare.
“We were told, clearly and confidently, that SHA would be free, and that only those with payslips, mainly salaried employees, would be required to contribute to the fund,” he said.
According to Salasya, leaders initially supported SHA in good faith, believing it would ease the burden of healthcare costs on low-income earners and informal workers.
However, he said the reality was far from what was promised.
“We believed in a healthcare system that would lift the burden off ordinary Kenyans: the mama mboga in Musanda, the boda boda rider in Ekero, the sugarcane cutter in Shibale, and the casual labourer in Shianda.
“They were told all they needed to do was register, and that the government would cater for their healthcare. But today, what are we seeing?” he posed.
As such, Salasya demanded immediate reforms to ensure the SHA program is aligned with the original intentions communicated to the public.
“I, Hon. Peter Kalerwa Salasya, stand with the people of Mumias East and all Kenyans who feel betrayed. I demand clarity, fairness, and justice in the rollout of SHA.
“If the government is genuine in seeking universal healthcare, it must go back to the original promise and design a system that is inclusive, affordable, and sensitive to the realities of ordinary Kenyans,” he concluded.
