Wiper aspirant Gladys Mami Kivoto questions Sunday food relief distributions associated with Kitui South MP Rachel Kaki Nyamai as she joins mourners in laying three young bodaboda operators to rest in Ikanga.
A political debate over Sunday food relief distributions has emerged in Kitui South after Wiper parliamentary aspirant Gladys Mami Kivoto challenged incumbent MP Rachel Kaki Nyamai over the timing of mwolyo activities, questioning whether they should coincide with church services.
Kivoto made the remarks as she joined family members, friends and residents of Ngiluni, Kathungu Sub-location, in Ikanga/Kyatune Ward, for the burial of three young bodaboda operators, Jeremiah Wambua Masua, Dancan Nzeu Ndivo and Patrick Juma Jerrico, who died in a road accident earlier this month.
Their deaths plunged their families and the wider community into mourning, with local and county leaders joining residents in paying their last respects.
A delegation from the County Government of Kitui attended the ceremony to convey Governor Dr. Julius Malombeโs message of condolences and support to the bereaved families.
Those present included area MCA Hon. Cyrus Sonko, Kitui Woman Representative Dr. Irene Kasalu, Hon. Mbithe Mulinge and other leaders who joined the grieving families during the burial.
However, amid the solemn occasion, Kivoto also raised concerns over Sunday food relief distributions, directing a pointed message at Nyamai.
โKaki, stop turning Sundays into Mwolyo campaign days!โ Kivoto declared, questioning whether the scheduling of food assistance should compete with church attendance.
Her remarks introduce a fresh point of contention in the political contest surrounding Kitui South, where the Wiper aspirant is positioning herself against the incumbent as the 2027 General Election approaches.
Sunday worship and food relief in the spotlight
Kivotoโs criticism centres on whether residents should have to navigate competing demands between attending Sunday worship and accessing food assistance.
For households facing food shortages, relief distribution can be essential. But the timing and organisation of such initiatives can attract public scrutiny, particularly when they overlap with religious observances and political activities.
By challenging Nyamai over the issue, Kivoto has placed the scheduling of mwolyo distributions on the constituencyโs political agenda.
The allegation that the distributions amount to campaign activities remains Kivotoโs characterisation. No independent evidence has been provided to establish that the assistance is conditional on political support.
As residents mourn the three young men whose lives were cut short in the road accident, the debate over Sunday relief distributions adds another issue to the unfolding political conversation in Kitui South.
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