Ruto Deceived Kenyans During Campaigns- Embattled UDA Vice Chair Panyako

The embattled United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Vice Chairman Seth Panyako on Wednesday, May 31 stated that the ruling party had misled Kenyans during their 2022 general election campaigns. 

The vocal secretary-general for KNUN (Kenya National Union of Nurses) also highlighted that President William Ruto's administration has failed to meet the expectations of Kenyans for failure to reduce the cost of living eight months after assuming office. Panyako described the Kenya Kwanza government's actions as political scheming.

"When we campaigned in 2022, we rode on the issue of lowering the cost of living. One of the things we promised was to remove the 8 per cent VAT on petroleum products. Today we are telling people we are not going to lower, we are going to double it. We never told workers we are going to do affordable housing using their money," Panyako said. 

He pointed out the flaws of the Finance Bill 2023, particularly the contested 3% housing levy, and termed it a big mistake for failure to recognize public input. Panyako attributed his abrupt departure from the ruling party to his divergent views from what President Ruto wanted him to advocate for. He mentioned that prior to the August 8 elections, he was a close ally to the UDA leader. 

Panyako disclosed that he has not contacted the President since the 2022 August elections. He said that their recent conversation was when Mr Ruto called to instruct him to resign. Panyako claimed that there are 6 individuals from one ethnic block who make the decisions on all government affairs. 

He further divulged that when David Koros resigned from LapFund, the board appointed Galm Jaldesa before their general assembly, however, the six individuals intervened and ordered for a different CEO to be chosen.

"There are about six guys from one ethnic community around the President who are pulling strings in government. They want to manage each and everything. They even want to know which cleaner is being employed from where. They want to have a hand on everything," he said.