KENYA : National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has downplayed the negativity levelled against the Kenya-Kwanza administration by Netizens on Social Media Platforms.
The Kikuyu Mp, was speaking while being grilled over allegations of state-sponsored enforced disappearances, corruption and the slow implementation of government promises during a heated interview on Al Jazeera's Head to Head with Mehdi Hasan on Thursday.
Mr. Ichung'wah pointed out that he has been on the receiving end of the Netizens, who have nicknamed him ''Ruto's Wife" over his close Association with the head of state.
The Legislator, stated that the government has ''learnt to ignore social media critics and instead focus on Service delivery, claiming not everything is said on social media platforms is factual.
Speaking at London’s Conway Hall, Ichung’wah faced tough questions on police brutality, the wealth of Kenyan lawmakers and the progress of President William Ruto's administration.
Mehdi further confronted Ichung’wah with a report from Mzalendo, a Kenyan parliamentary monitoring organisation, which highlighted that only 14 out of the 281 promises in Ruto’s 2022 election manifesto have been fulfilled—a mere five per cent completion rate.
“The implementation of a manifesto is page after page, chapter after chapter,” Ichung’wah said, declining to specify how many promises had been met.
“You’re the first politician who has said to me, ‘I will not give you a straight answer,’” Mehdi retorted.
When pushed on specific unfulfilled pledges, such as providing free internet and phone calls, initiating a public inquiry into cronyism, and ratifying the International Convention Against Enforced Disappearances, Ichung’wah defended the government's progress.
“He [President Ruto] is yet to ratify, but it is a work in progress,” he said.
Mehdi countered, “He said he would do it as soon as he came to power. It’s been two and a half years. He could do it with a stroke of his pen. Why has he not done it?”
Ichung’wah responded by pointing to the broader scope of governance, stating that numerous international agreements had been ratified, though he did not specify which ones.
The Mp was also asked to clarify his personal net worth after National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed joked in August 2024 that he was worth Sh5 billion (approximately $38 million USD).
Ichung’wah downplayed the figure, stating that his wealth was closer to Sh1 billion ($7.7 million USD), accumulated from his business ventures before entering politics.
“My net worth is close to Sh1 billion,” he said.
Mehdi also challenged Ichung’wah on the widespread perception that Kenyan lawmakers, who are among the highest-paid globally, often flaunt their wealth in contrast to the economic struggles of ordinary citizens.
“That is perception,” Ichung’wah responded.
“Don’t look at what someone is earning vis-à-vis others. I wasn't born an MP; I arrived in the public scene having had another life. I worked in other organisations before politics and did business over the years. Therefore, the perception that people in public service should not amass wealth should stop.”
On the criticism of MPs flaunting their wealth, he admitted, “It's rather unfortunate. Nobody should do that.”
He added, “Members of Parliament in my party who I see flaunting things that are not palatable with Kenyans, I tell them, Hey bro, this is not good.”
The journalist pressed the legislator with tough questions about the Kenyan police's violent response to mass protests in June 2024, when thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to oppose the Finance Bill.
Ichung’wah, a close ally of President William Ruto, strongly denied allegations of police involvement in the enforced disappearances of protesters during anti-government demonstrations, calling such claims "a conspiracy."
He refuted accusations that Kenyan security forces had engaged in kidnappings and disappearances.
“I do not believe there are enforced disappearances perpetuated by the state in Kenya,” Ichung’wah said during the live interview.
Human rights organisations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission, reported at least 63 civilian deaths, 65 forced disappearances, and over 1,400 unlawful detentions since Ruto assumed office in 2022.
