Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on Saturday clashed with Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa over the high cost of living.
The two were attending a funeral in Tongaren Constituency in Bungoma County.
Disagreements arose after Wamalwa remarked that Kenya Kwanza was looking for a scapegoat over the challenges affecting the country.
“The cost of living is high and Kenyans are hurting yet our friends are saying that this is a global problem and there is nothing they can do about it. Nothing can be further from the truth,” Wamalwa remarked.
Former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa
Photo
Mwendani FM
The former CS argued that fuel prices in Kenya being higher than in Tanzania could not be an Israeli or Pakistani problem.
“It is President William Ruto’s problem through high taxes. The Finance Act 2023 doubled the Value Added Tax on fuel,” Wamalwa stated.
Taking the microphone from Wamalwa, Barasa stated that the former CS had no moral authority to castigate the President.
Barasa stated that Ruto was engaging everyone who was willing to offer solutions to the rising cost of living except Wamalwa.
“Eugene Wamalwa you have no gravitas to lecture the country about the cost of living you were the CS of Defence but did nothing,’ the MP stated.
He added that Wamalwa should wait for 2027 and seek a political seat in Transnzoia, his home county.
Barasa remarked that Wamalwa had no new ideas on how the country could be run.
Despite castigating Wamalwa, Barasa has been one of Kenya Kwanza leaders urging the President to review fuel prices downwards.
President William Ruto speaking at a conference in Saudi Arabia on October 24, 2023, and a flying plane (in red circle).
PCS
KAA
