Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has criticised his political rivals, accusing them of engaging in propaganda instead of focusing on development work in the county.
Speaking during an event at the Kiambu County Headquarters on Thursday, the governor defended his administration’s performance, particularly in the health sector, while dismissing claims of non-performance levelled against him by some leaders.
Wamatangi said some of his critics had resorted to tarnishing the county government’s work because they lacked a development agenda of their own.
“Those who want to compete with us lack an agenda. When they see the development we have achieved, they resort to inventing issues,” he said.
“The best way for them is now to look at how to soil what you have done by promoting negativity.”
The governor urged county workers and residents not to allow political attacks to undermine the work being done by healthcare workers and county officials who, he said, had made huge sacrifices to serve residents.
“We agree, we say no. Do not permit those people over your sweat, over the nights you have sacrificed, days you have stood there and endured,” Wamatangi said.
He praised healthcare workers for risking their lives to save patients and provide emergency services, saying it was unfair for politicians seeking popularity to dismiss their efforts.
“You have supported patients, gotten into life-risking ventures to go get patients under emergency, to even treat patients with diseases,” he said.
“You have taken all these risks, yet someone, simply seeking popularity, stands up and says things that are not true about your work. Let us not encourage them.”
Wamatangi also challenged the leaders to account for development projects undertaken using the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
“If you want to compete, go soil your hands, work, show what you can do. Propaganda cannot deliver anyone,” he said.
The governor claimed each MP controls more than Sh1.5 billion in CDF allocations during a five-year cycle and challenged them to show tangible projects achieved using the funds.
“If it’s MPs, how much CDF money goes through the hands of an MP in a cycle of five years? Over Sh1.5 billion. Show us what you have done with Sh1.5 billion in your constituency,” he said.
Wamatangi further argued that cumulatively, constituencies in Kiambu had received more than Sh15 billion over the years, insisting leaders should be judged by their development record rather than political rhetoric.
The Governor is responsible for 12 constituencies. We have 13 municipalities. If you combine what every MP has gotten for those five years, say Sh1.5 billion times five, that’s in excess of close to Sh15 billion. Show us what you have done; it’s your record,” he said.
The governor maintained that he would not be distracted by critics, saying responding to every political attack would derail his focus on service delivery.
“I ignore stuff that people throw around for you to reply because that defocuses you,” he said.
He called on county staff to remain focused and continue defending the work they do for residents.
“Defend the work you do. Let’s keep focused to ensure we don’t look backwards or sideways,” he added.
