The National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli has issued a scathing rebuke against the political trajectory of the Kamba community, accusing long-serving leaders of keeping the region in deliberate poverty while advancing personal interests.
In a bold statement that is bound to rattle political heavyweights in Ukambani, Dr. Muli questioned why, despite being the fifth-largest ethnic group in Kenya with a population exceeding four million, the Kamba people have continuously lagged in national development and government appointments.
“For the last 15 years, we have been told to vote for ‘our own.’ But what has that done for us? Our own continues to make deals that benefit only him and his family while the community suffers,” Muli charged, in what is widely perceived as a direct attack on Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Drawing comparisons with the Luo community, Muli pointed out that despite both groups consistently supporting the opposition, Luo leaders have historically secured tangible benefits for their people, while Kambas have been left with empty slogans.
“The Luos have mastered the art of negotiations; every time they vote opposition, they still find a way to benefit from government. Meanwhile, Kambas are told to stay hungry and poor under the slogan ‘vomwe na vayeetwa’ (be patient, your time will come),” he lamented.
A Call for Political Realignment
Muli’s fiery statement signals a possible major political shift in Ukambani, as he calls on the community to abandon blind opposition loyalty and instead seek direct engagement with the government for their fair share.
“It’s time we said no as a community. We don’t have to remain in the opposition because someone wants us there. We must demand what rightly belongs to us,” he declared.
He emphasized the need for Ukambani to claim its rightful stake in national appointments, access to resources, and development projects.
“We must get our rightful share of CSs, PSs, and other senior government positions. We must benefit from the immense resources in our land and the rivers that cross our region,” he added.
A Challenge to the Status Quo
Muli’s statement is likely to shake the foundations of the Wiper Party and its leader, who has long been regarded as the undisputed kingpin of Ukambani politics. By accusing Kamba leaders of using the community as a political bargaining chip while personally benefiting from government privileges, Muli has thrown down the gauntlet to the region’s leadership.
As the 2027 elections approach, the question remains—will the Kamba people heed Muli’s call for a new political direction, or will they continue to rally behind their long-time political establishment?
