Kenyans should set aside political noise and decide for themselves whether the Kenya Kwanza government has delivered on its promises, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has said.
Ichung’wah said the administration should not be judged by political attacks or campaign rhetoric but by the programmes it has put in place and the difference they have made in the lives of ordinary citizens.
Speaking on Friday, September 11, 2026, during a meeting with grassroots women leaders in Kiangwaci, Ndia Constituency, Kirinyaga County, Ichung’wah asked voters to examine the government’s work and compare it with what was promised when the administration took office.
“Judge us by what we have done, not by propaganda. Look at the policies we have implemented, look at the programmes we have rolled out, and ask yourself whether they are making a difference in the lives of ordinary Kenyans,” Ichung’wah said.
The Majority Leader said political parties and leaders should also change how they engage with voters, arguing that elections should provide an opportunity for Kenyans to compare different plans rather than witness clashes between supporters.
He criticised politicians accused of involving young people in disrupting political gatherings, saying youths should not be turned into tools for political fights.
“Leaders should stop using young people negatively. Political debates are not physical fights. They should be a contest of ideas and policies,” he said.
Ichung’wah said leaders opposed to the Kenya Kwanza administration should explain their own plans to the electorate instead of concentrating on attacking those in government.
He said voters deserved to hear practical alternatives so they could make informed choices when the time comes.
“If you disagree with the government, tell Kenyans what you would do differently. Give them an alternative policy. Politics should be about ideas, not who can create the biggest confrontation,” he said.
His comments come at a time when political activity is increasing, with rival camps accusing each other of interfering with political meetings, demonstrations and the actions of supporters.
Ichung’wah also spoke about foreign nationals doing business in Kenya, saying those who enter the country legally are welcome but must meet the required registration and immigration rules.
He said the government needs reliable information on foreigners living and working in Kenya, arguing that registration is necessary for security and should not be viewed as an effort to target particular communities.
“We welcome everyone who comes to Kenya legally to do business. But everyone must comply with the law. Registration is not about targeting a community; it is about knowing who is in the country and protecting both individual and national security,” Ichung’wah said.
The Majority Leader said compliance with the law should apply to everyone who comes into the country to conduct business.
Away from politics, Ichung’wah used the meeting to give rice farmers in Mwea and neighbouring areas an update on payments that had been delayed.
He said money had already started reaching farmers and that the government had set aside funds through the national budget to deal with the outstanding payments.
According to Ichung’wah, the payments will continue until all farmers who qualify have received what they are owed.
“I was in Mwea recently, and we assured the people of Mwea that they would receive their rice payments this week. Starting yesterday and today, farmers have begun receiving their payments,” he said.
The delayed payments have been a major issue for rice-growing communities in the region, where many households rely on farming as a source of income.
Ichung’wah said the ongoing disbursements would help address the concerns raised by farmers over money that had remained unpaid.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari also joined the call for politicians to stop involving young people in political disturbances.
Gitari said political leaders should instead help youths find opportunities that can improve their lives and prepare them for the future.
He particularly pointed to university students, saying young people should be given opportunities and skills rather than being mobilised to interfere with political gatherings.
“Stop using our boys in the wrong way. Show them what they are supposed to do. Give them a fishing rod so that they can fish for themselves tomorrow,” Gitari said.
Gitari claimed that some youths allegedly recruited to disrupt political meetings had later acknowledged that they did not initially intend to cause trouble.
He said hunger and financial difficulties were among the reasons some of the young people were willing to take part in such activities.
The MP further accused politicians of leaving the youths on their own after allegedly using them to disrupt meetings, including situations where some were left without transport or assistance to get home.
Ichung’wah calls for policy-based politics
Ichung’wah's wider message was that the coming political contest should give voters an opportunity to weigh government performance against alternative plans from other political formations.
He maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration should be assessed on what it has done, while those seeking to replace it should explain clearly what they would do differently.
The Majority Leader said Kenyans were capable of examining the competing records and proposals before making their own decision.
“Let the people judge us on our work. Let our opponents give Kenyans their alternatives. At the end of the day, Kenyans are intelligent enough to decide between a record of delivery and empty political propaganda.”