Cabinet Secretary (CS) for East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development Peninah Malonza has been heckled by mourners in her home county of Kitui.
Addressing mourners in Kitui East on Saturday, December 10, Malonza defended the efforts made by President William Ruto to lower the cost of living.
Malonza explained that President Ruto is aware of the hard economic situation facing the country and he shouldn’t be reminded.
“Even the president understands that there is high cost of living, that is not something he should be told,” she said.
Additionally, the CS defended Ruto’s foreign trips arguing that they are aimed at raising funds for development.
“That is why the president is flying abroad to seek loans because he found the treasury with no money,” she added.
She emphasized that President Ruto is keen to lower the cost of living.
“He striving to ensure that the cost of living goes down, and that is why he flies to foreign nations to request funds and figure out the way forward,” said Malonza amidst shouts from the crowd.
Taxes & Echoes
Besides, Malonza President Ruto defended Kenyans against high taxes that were introduced on essential documents like ID and Passports.
“When taxes were introduced on IDs, President Ruto rejected it and it was cancelled. Therefore, he is working hard, and he will be able to finish his job,” she said.
However, throughout her speech, Malonza could be heard pleading with the crowd to let her finish her speech.
“Ngojea, si uwache niongee,tumesema subira na heshima ama namna gani?” said Malonza at one point.
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This loosely translates to “allow me to speak. We have said it is all about patience and respect.”
“Ndungu zangu si mngoje nimalize ama namna gani? Mimi ninaongea mambo Matano pekee yake ama vipi? Na nimemaliza jambo la tano” she concluded.
This translates to “My brothers please let me finish, I was talking about five things only and that is the last one.”
Malonza Political Career
President Ruto appointed Malonza as CS for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage in September 2022.
The national assembly committee on appointments initially rejected her nomination as Tourism Cabinet Secretary but was later on approved as the Cabinet secretary for Tourism by the parliamentary plenary.
However, she was moved to her current docket in the cabinet reshuffle announced by the President in October 2023.
She is also an Ex Officio Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) effective 5 October 2023.
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In 2022, she unsuccessfully contested for the women’s representative seat in Kitui County.
Besides, she served as the first Deputy Governor of Kitui County, between 2013 and 2017.
In addition to being one of the 10 women chosen by President Ruto, Malonza is one of only two ministers from the Ukambani region.
Notably, she is the first CS to ever come from Kitui South since Kenya gained independence.