Kiunjuri: Party hopping won’t change leaders’ performance

Mwangi Kiunjuri, the MP for Laikipia East, has cautioned politicians who switch political parties that changing their affiliation won't automatically boost their performance. Addressing the launch of an electricity project in Tigithi Ward, Lamuria, on Monday, Kiunjuri urged politicians to focus on delivering development rather than engaging in political insults.

He challenged those moving from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to other parties, like the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), to explain their achievements while in government.

Kiunjuri asked politicians who had served under UDA to clarify what their administration had accomplished, what they planned to do and what initiatives were currently being implemented. "If you are inside the government, just tell us what the government has done, what it plans to do, and what it is currently doing," he said.

He challenged politicians who left UDA for DCP and other parties to respond to the question of why they criticized and doubted the previous government while serving under it. "Those who switch parties from UDA to DCP and other parties, why do they criticize and doubt the previous government when they were part of it?"

Kiunjuri urged residents of Laikipia and other regions to scrutinize politicians who change parties, arguing that voters should assess leaders by their performance rather than their political affiliation. He emphasized that moving to another party would not improve a leader's effectiveness if they had failed to deliver while serving in UDA. "A leader who has not delivered while serving in UDA will not deliver better just because they switch to a different party."

The MP stressed that leaders confident in their record have no reason to abandon their political base. "If you trust the government and have delivered, why switch?" he questioned.

Kiunjuri explained that his decision to remain in government was driven by his responsibility to constituents who elected him to pursue development projects. The government has around 12 months left in its current term, during which it could strengthen its position or lose public support. "Because the government still has two months left, this period could either strengthen or weaken its position. I intend to continue serving in the government."

He said residents had entrusted him with the task of pushing for development projects, including roads, water, and electricity. "I aim to work with the government to build roads, provide water, and establish electricity."

Kiunjuri questioned who would represent his constituents' interests in government if he left. "If I leave the government, who will represent them?" he asked. He emphasized that he would stay and continue working if he chose to remain.