CS and UDA MP Clash at a Funeral

Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on Saturday clashed with Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa over the high cost of living. 

The situation unfolded at a funeral in Tongaren Constituency, Bungoma County where disagreements arose after Wamalwa claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government had failed in its promise to lower the cost of living and has been looking for a scapegoat for the various challenges affecting the country.

“The cost of living is high and Kenyans are hurting yet our friends are saying that this is a global problem and there is nothing they can do about it. Nothing can be further from the truth,” Wamalwa remarked.

The former CS argued that fuel prices in Kenya being higher than in Tanzania could not be an Israeli or Pakistani problem.

“It is President William Ruto’s problem through high taxes. The Finance Act 2023 doubled the Value Added Tax on fuel,” Wamalwa stated. 

The situation escalated when Barasa grabbed the microphone from Wamalwa, stating that the former CS had no moral authority to castigate the President. 

Barasa retorted that President William Ruto is willing to engage all politicians on ways to lower the cost of living except Wamalwa who is known to have a frosty relationship with the Head of State.

“Eugene Wamalwa you have no gravitas to lecture the government about the cost of living. You were the CS of Defence but did nothing,’ the MP stated.

The firebrand MP further added that Wamalwa should wait for 2027 and seek an elective position in Trans Nzoia, his home county.

Barasa further faulted Wamalwa, stating that the former CS had no new ideas on how to run the country.

Nonetheless, Barasa, despite castigating Wamalwa, Barasa has been one of Kenya Kwanza leaders urging the President to review fuel prices downwards.

On Saturday, President William Ruto assured Kenyans that fuel prices would be reduced for a second consecutive month.