Machakos DG Francis Mwangangi says no Leader Has Blocked Development in Ukambani

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has dismissed claims that leaders from Ukambani have hindered development in the region, insisting that the responsibility lies squarely with the national government.

Mwangangi said President William Ruto should not use local leaders as a scapegoat for his government’s slow pace of delivering projects in the Lower Eastern region. He emphasized that leaders in Ukambani have always supported initiatives aimed at uplifting communities.

“No leader has ever stood in the way of development coming to Ukambani. The president should not use his failure to deliver as an excuse or scapegoat,” Mwangangi said on Sunday. “Our people deserve services and infrastructure like all other Kenyans.”

He further faulted what he described as a growing culture of inviting delegations of citizens to State House for handouts under the pretext of listening to their concerns. According to him, such practices are not only demeaning but also deny Kenyans the services they are entitled to.

“This tendency of parading citizens at State House in the name of listening to their issues is simply denying them the services they rightfully deserve,” he stated. “It reduces Kenyans to beggars, left at the mercy of political goodwill rather than benefiting from proper governance.”

Mwangangi maintained that such a retrogressive culture has no place in the country’s future, promising that the sixth administration will focus on building strong institutions that serve all Kenyans equally, regardless of political affiliation or region of origin.