MP Shakeel Shabir Tells off Mudavadi for Using 3 Choppers, Convoy to Launch Tap: "It's Extreme"
- Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir lashed out at Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi over what he called a lavish travel to launch a simple water project
- The MP’s remarks add to mounting criticism of recent government tours in Western Kenya, which some leaders say focus on minor launches instead of major infrastructure
- Governor George Natembeya previously argued that the region is being left behind on development despite top-level representation in government
- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua had also faulted Ruto for not honouring the development pledges he made to the region
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
A recent water project launch in Western Kenya has sparked fierce criticism of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s travel style.
Source: Facebook
What did Musalia launch in Funyula?
Speaking during an interview with TV47, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir said Mudavadi’s arrival in Funyula constituency, Busia, for the commissioning of the rehabilitated Nambuku Location Schools Water Project involved three helicopters and a convoy of high-end vehicles.
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“He went to Western the other day, with three helicopters and a convoy to open a tap. Just water supply. This is extreme... what we are doing is going around showing opulence,” Shabir said.
The Nambuku water project, now powered by a hybrid solar pumping system, is expected to supply clean water to schools, public facilities, and the surrounding community.
Mudavadi also described it as a contributor to regional integration, improved security, and economic growth.
During the same tour, the Prime CS inaugurated a KSh 39.5 million double-storey tuition block with 16 modern classrooms at Moody Awori Primary School.
Shabir’s comments echo a wave of dissatisfaction with recent government development tours in Western Kenya.
Did Ruto launch a water tap in Western
In a related development earlier reported by TUKO.co.ke, Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya faulted President William Ruto’s six-day visit to the region, claiming it yielded little in terms of meaningful infrastructure.
He said the trip focused on commissioning electricity transformers, opening water taps, and unveiling projects that had been completed long before.
Natembeya argued that the president’s advisers were disconnected from the region’s real needs, pointing to farming areas still without tarmacked roads to transport produce to market.
The governor also criticised Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula for not securing more investment for their home region, insisting that political loyalty should not be a condition for public services.
Source: Facebook
Is Ruto's government ignoring Western Kenya?
His position aligns with earlier remarks by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who accused the administration of failing to meet pre-election promises.
While attending the launch of the new Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters in Nairobi with other opposition leaders, Gachagua criticised Ruto’s leadership, accusing the administration of dishonesty, fostering divisions, and misleading the public.
He referenced the president’s earlier pledge to construct 1,000 kilometres of roads in Western Kenya, noting that the promise remained unfulfilled, with recent tours focusing on small-scale projects such as commissioning a transformer.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
