NAIROBI, Kenya — National Liberal Party leader Augustus Muli has vowed to confront leaders he accuses of undermining Ukambani’s development, escalating political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking amid fallout from his recent criticism of Rigathi Gachagua, Muli said his remarks were not tribal but rooted in defending the region’s interests.
“When I criticised DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua this week, some rushed to frame it as a tribal attack. It was not. It was a defence of Ukambani,” he said.
Muli accused Gachagua of inconsistency, arguing that the former Deputy President had previously blamed certain Ukambani leaders for underdevelopment but was now aligning with them politically.
“You cannot diagnose the disease on Monday and dine with it on Tuesday. That is not strategy. That is political gambling — and Ukambani is not a casino,” he said.
The NLP leader said he would call out any leader, regardless of ethnic background, who compromises the region’s future. He framed the debate as one of accountability rather than identity politics.
“This is not about tribe. It is about truth. If a Kamba leader betrays our people, I will name him. If a Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luo or Luhya leader uses our region as a pawn, I will name him too,” he added.
Muli argued that Ukambani has endured decades of stalled development, citing repeated promises on cotton revival, dams, and industrial projects that have failed to materialise.
“We have paid too high a price for polite silence,” he said, adding that the region continues to face water shortages, unemployment, and limited economic opportunities.
He also criticised the emerging United Opposition, saying its approach reflects a lack of sincerity. “Endorsing yesterday’s failures as today’s champions is not coalition-building. It is betrayal dressed as unity,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2027, Muli called for a shift from personality-driven politics to development-focused leadership. He outlined a three-point agenda for Ukambani centred on industrialisation, water security, and skills development.
The plan includes reviving textile manufacturing in Kitui and expanding agro-processing to retain value locally, fast-tracking the Thwake Dam project to support irrigation across more than 100,000 acres, and aligning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions with industry needs to improve job outcomes.
“A region with two permanent rivers should not beg for relief food,” he said, emphasising the need for long-term investment in agriculture and infrastructure.
Muli challenged Gachagua and opposition leaders to present a concrete development blueprint for Ukambani, saying voters would no longer accept symbolic politics.
“If you’re serious about Ukambani, show us factories, not funerals. Until then, we won’t be your voting machine,” he said.
He also urged local leaders to rethink their political strategy, warning against continued alignment behind external power centres without tangible returns for the region.
“Either we make Ukambani king, or history records us as the generation that leased our children’s future,” he said.
Dismissing claims that his stance is driven by bitterness, Muli maintained that his focus is on economic empowerment and social justice.
“If demanding water for my mother and jobs for my sister is bitterness, then Kenya needs more bitter people,” he said.
