Lugari Member of Parliament Nabii Nabwera sparked both laughter and reflection during a dramatic public appeal to his constituents, asking them to allow him to support President William Ruto.
Speaking at a community meeting in Lugari, Kakamega County, the ODM lawmaker nearly knelt as he pleaded with locals, urging them not to “stone him” for aligning with Ruto’s administration in pursuit of development.
“Msinipige mawe (Don’t stone me),” Nabwera said, eliciting mixed reactions from the crowd. The MP emphasized that his primary responsibility was to bring tangible improvements to Lugari, and working with the President was part of that strategy.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera speaking during a past function.
Nabwera revealed that Ruto had promised to construct the long-awaited Turbo and Luandeti tarmac roads—projects that have stalled for years. He stressed that his support for the President is conditional, hinging solely on the fulfillment of these promises.
“Ruto is my neighbor. If he delivers on roads, I must support him. Development first, politics later,” Nabwera insisted.
The ODM MP went further, criticizing constituents still loyal to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom he accused of frustrating infrastructure efforts in the region. He claimed funds allocated for the roads were diverted under Gachagua’s watch.
President William Ruto in Kisumu
Drawing from cultural traditions, Nabwera likened the growing ODM-Kenya Kwanza collaboration to a father marrying a new wife. “Raila is my political father. If he marries Ruto, that makes Ruto part of the family. I cannot fight my mother,” he explained.
Nabwera’s appeal underscores the shifting political tides as more ODM leaders warm up to the Kenya Kwanza government. Despite Raila Odinga’s insistence that ODM is not part of Ruto’s administration, leaders like Nabwera appear to be pragmatically embracing cooperation—for the sake of development.
