Isiolo County Women Representative Mumina Bonaya has condemned the persistent trend of heckling national leaders during their visits to the county, warning that such actions have long hindered the region’s development.
Speaking in response to the recent disruption of President William Ruto’s visit to Isiolo, Mumina termed the heckling as “petty politics” orchestrated by a section of local politicians to advance their selfish interests at the expense of the county’s progress.
Recurring Political Disruptions
The Isiolo MP highlighted that this was not an isolated incident, recalling similar occurrences during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
She noted that after being jeered during his visit to Isiolo, Uhuru never returned for further engagements, which ultimately denied the county vital development opportunities.
According to Mumina, such disruptive political behaviors discourage national leaders from prioritizing Isiolo in development plans, as they perceive the county as hostile and uncooperative.
Blame on Political Rivals
Mumina attributed the recent incident to divisions among Isiolo leaders, particularly those who boycotted a consultative forum convened by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
She alleged that some of these leaders, including those currently serving in political and civil service roles, were responsible for mobilizing hecklers to disrupt President Ruto’s visit.
She criticized these factions for engaging in destructive politics that not only tarnish Isiolo’s reputation but also make it difficult for local leaders to lobby effectively for government projects and services.
Call for Unity and Development
Emphasizing the need for political maturity, Mumina urged residents to reject divisive politics and instead foster unity to attract meaningful development.
She cautioned that unless the people of Isiolo identify and address the root cause of the persistent disruptions, the county would continue to lag behind in infrastructure, economic growth, and service delivery.
“Unless we open our eyes and identify the root cause of this problem, Isiolo will continue to suffer. We must not allow politicians to exploit the people for their selfish political gains at the expense of development,” she asserted.
Mumina’s remarks come amid growing concerns over Isiolo’s economic stagnation, with many residents expressing frustration over the lack of major government projects.
Analysts argue that continued political instability could further isolate the county from crucial national government investments.
As the debate over political decorum in Isiolo intensifies, stakeholders are urging leaders to engage in constructive dialogue and put the interests of the people above personal rivalries.
Whether the county heeds this call or remains entangled in disruptive politics remains to be seen.
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