UDA Vice Chairman Seth Panyako steps down over stand on housing levy

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Vice Chairman Seth Panyako has ditched the political outfit over what he says is the failure by the government to fulfil its campaign promise of lowering the cost of living.

Panyako on Saturday said the President William Ruto regime has disregarded its promises through its stance on the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 and the housing levy.

He, therefore, stepped down from his position and dumped the party, saying he only wanted to be there for his people.

“Nimekuwa naibu mwenyekiti wa UDA ambaye anasimamia mipango ya chama. Lakini jana niliongea na Rais katika mwendo wa saa moja na ikaonekana msimamo ambao nimeuchukua kupinga mambo ya housing na kuongeza gharama ya maisha hainiruhusu kuendelea kuwa kiongozi wa chama cha UDA,” he said.

“Leo ninatangaza nimeondoka kwenye uongozi wa UDA, katika chama cha UDA na nimeamua kukaa na wananchi.”

According to Panyako, UDA members' move to support the two proposed bills is betraying their hustler supporters who he said had been gravely affected by the ailing expenses.

He cited the ‘kazi ni kazi, pesa mfukoni’ slogan which was popular during Kenya Kwanza campaigns, consequently slamming the faction over what he termed as being insensitive to the needs of ordinary Kenyans struggling to fend for their families.

“Tulipokuwa tunatafuta kura, tulikuwa tunasema kazi ni kazi, pesa mfukoni. Saa hii wanatuambia kazi ni kazi, pesa kwa serikali. Mnakubali hiyo?” He posed to the crowd, which responded in the negative.