Rising fuel prices have laid bare growing cracks in the government’s bottom-up economic model, this is according to Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, who is warning that the escalating cost of energy is undermining livelihoods and eroding public confidence in the administration’s flagship agenda.
Speaking at Kisawayi Primary School in Siboti Ward during the handover of 17 tents and 1,700 chairs to women’s groups, the lawmaker launched a sharp criticism of President William Ruto’s economic policies, arguing that the continued rise in fuel prices has triggered a ripple effect across the economy.
He said the surge has driven up transport fares, food prices and the cost of basic commodities, leaving ordinary Kenyans to shoulder an increasingly heavy burden.
According to Wamboka, the situation contradicts the promises made during the 2022 election campaign, when the Kenya Kwanza administration pledged to ease the cost of living through its bottom-up economic transformation agenda (BETA) approach.
“The increase in fuel prices is a clear indication that the promises made to Kenyans are not being fulfilled. Instead of easing the burden, the cost of living continues to rise,” he said.
The MP further called on leaders from the Western region to rethink their political alignment ahead of the next general election, urging them to unite and support alternative leadership.
He revealed that a section of young and like-minded leaders from the region are backing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as a potential challenger in the future presidential race.
Wamboka also took issue with senior leaders from the region, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing them of failing to provide decisive political direction.
He claimed that despite repeatedly expressing presidential ambitions, they have often backed Presidential candidates from other regions at critical moments.
“We have leaders who declare their interest in the presidency, but when the time comes, they step aside and support others. This time, we want to stand firm and support one of our own to challenge President Ruto,” Wamboka said.
The tents and chairs initiative, worth nearly KSh4 million, is aimed at boosting grassroots economic empowerment in Wamboka’s Bumula Constituency.
During the event, Wamboka noted that if properly managed, the assets could generate more than KSh20 million annually for the beneficiary groups.
Wamboka described the distribution as a deliberate effort to uplift women economically and address long-standing neglect in the area.
“This decision to distribute tents and chairs to 17 women’s groups was informed by the need to empower local communities, especially in a ward that had been neglected by previous leadership,” he said.
He further defended his development record, taking a swipe at his predecessor, whom he accused of presiding over years of the constituency stagnation.
“When I took over this constituency, it was lagging behind in representation, education and development. That is why I have taken the initiative to move ward by ward, supporting women’s groups and investing in NG-CDF projects,” he said.
Among the key projects he highlighted include the KSh700 million Namunige Dam that is supplying clean water to the residents and Lunakwe Energy Centre, which he said are expected to transform livelihoods and improve access to essential services in the area.
Wamboka maintained that while local development initiatives are crucial, broader national policies particularly on fuel pricing must be urgently addressed to ease the economic strain on Kenyans.
