Ex-MP Washiali says elected, appointed Western leaders now not picking his calls

Former Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali has castigated a section of Western Kenya leaders for allegedly avoiding him since their ascension to power.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on Wednesday, Washiali decried that the elected and recently appointed government officials are actively ignoring his phone calls and text messages even though he claims that he is only reaching out to them to remind them of their constitutional obligation to serve their people.

His sentiments come just a day before President William Ruto is expected to tour the Western Kenya region for a two-day official visit commencing Thursday.

“What becomes of a leader who cannot pick calls or respond to messages? We are not calling to ask for money or favours. At times we are just calling to guide some of you on what to do, based on our experience as leaders. One becomes a good leader when they listen to their electorates. I am also an electorate,” Washiali said.

"Some appointed leaders are not even responding to my calls or messages. And it is not just about me, several people across board have similar complaints. I wonder why someone would go mute upon election or appointment into office yet electorates need services from them.”

Having been a key part of President Ruto's Western Kenya campaign team in the days leading up to the August 9 polls, Washiali likewise dismissed claims that he only supported Ruto's presidential bid in the hopes of landing a plum State appointment.

“I gave my genuine support to our president during campaigns in good faith, but not necessarily in exchange for an appointment. On appointments, it is within his prerogative to pick whomever he wants to serve Kenyans in whichever capacity," he said.

"We leave it within his powers to do so. For me, when Mumias Sugar is milling, I will be happy because that is what I have fought for all along."

Washiali consequently defended MPs allied to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya such as Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani) and Titus Khamala (Lurambi) for having a sit down with President Ruto at State House last week, in a move that has seen them criticised by the coalition party leader Raila Odinga's camp.