The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Maseno South, Rt. Rev. Charles Ochieng Ong’injo, has launched a blistering attack on President William Samoei Ruto, accusing him of deceiving the Luo community with what he described as “empty gestures and political theatrics.”
Speaking during a church service in Kisumu, the outspoken cleric said the Luo community has gained nothing tangible under the current administration despite what he termed as a façade of inclusion. He dismissed the two Cabinet slots and the state funeral accorded to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as mere sideshows meant to pacify the community.
“Odongo Omamo, Ndolo, and Oloo Aringo were occupying the same positions. I’ve heard more than ten times that the Luos have joined government, which is not true. We only have two Cabinet ministers from Luo land, yet before, they were six,” said Ong’injo.
He accused the government of reducing Luos to mere “choir members” who sing praises for political gain while the region continues to suffer economic and social hardship.
“Our people are still struggling even with these so-called key positions in Treasury and Energy. Kikuyus, who are treated as the opposition, hold over seven Cabinet slots and six Principal Secretaries positions, the math does not add up,” he stated.
Ong’injo further questioned the celebrations surrounding the appointments of Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi as Cabinet Secretaries, saying such jubilation is misplaced when the Mount Kenya region still enjoys a larger share of top government posts.
“You only have two Cabinet Secretaries, yet we can’t sleep because you claim to be in government. What are you delivering there? You’ve become a choir and chorus,” he charged.
The bishop also accused President Ruto’s regime of presiding over what he termed as the most oppressive period in Kenya’s history, alleging that citizens are dying either from abductions or the stress caused by the high cost of living.
“I don’t think any government has killed its people more than Ruto’s. He either kills through abduction or through stress caused by the high cost of living,” said Ong’injo.
He also took a swipe at Cabinet Secretaries whom he accused of flying across the country in helicopters under the guise of empowerment programs when the government employees have not been employed.
“Those pretending to empower people while hopping from one place to another in helicopters should instead work for Kenyans genuinely,” he concluded.
