Kimani Ngunjiri blames MPs for Kenya Kwanza’s govt unpopularity
By Valerian Khakayi, August 29, 2025Former Bahati constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ngunjiri has criticised a section of the lawmakers for undermining the Kenya Kwanza administration’s popularity.
Speaking during an interview with Dr Kingori, which aired on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Ngunjiri attributed the government’s declining public image to MPs who, instead of performing their oversight duties, claim credit for national government projects.
He highlighted the detrimental effects of some legislatures taking undue credit for government initiatives.
Additionally, the former lawmaker recounted instances where contractors, upon commencing projects, are met with claims from MPs asserting that they are the ones who initiated the project.
“Hii mambo na sikia Raila akisema alisaidia Ruto kusema national government barabara inatengenezwa, wajumbe huku wanang’ang’ana nayo, hii ni mimi nimeleta hii ni mimi nimeleta uwezi oversite alafu ukimbilie project ya serikali ni yako, that is why I was saying the government is not popular on the ground, “Kimani Ngunjiri said.
“Kwa sababu wajumbe wanakimbilia kusema ni yao, contractor akiingia namna hii anasema nimeleeta huyou contractor, nimeleta hii barabara na hiyo budget ni ya national government saving, but it does not reach down well kwa serikali.That is why the government is not popular.”
Ngunjiri on MPs’ role
Furthermore, he emphasised that MPs’ primary role is to oversee the execution of national projects, ensuring they adhere to proper procedures and budgets.
However, by inserting themselves into the narrative as project initiators, he says they not only mislead the public but also erode trust in the government’s intentions and effectiveness.
“Mjumbe kazi yake nikuoversite angekuwa anaangalia hiyo project ya serikali through the government, through the auditor general, inafanyika kwa tender mzuri na inafanyika kwa njia gani hiyo ndio ingekuwa kazi yake,”he added.
Ngunjiri went on to observe that during a past event in Nakuru County, President William Ruto announced new development projects for the region, which he viewed as a significant opportunity. However, he noted that no lawmaker addressed these national government initiatives.
He expressed concern that MPs are not engaging in oversight of national projects, which he believes contributes to the government’s declining popularity.
“Mimi nimeangalia president, siku moja alituita watu wa Nakuru akutuambia project atafanya Nakuru nikaona, this is a game changer lakini hakuna mjumbe aliongea hiyo mambo, mjumbe anaongeea mambo yake na mambo ya national government hawezi kuzungumuza,” he stated.