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Mumias East MP faces questions as Kenyans debate politicians’ obsession with branding public projects
MUMIAS EAST – Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has publicly reprimanded a worker he accuses of shoddy work on a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) project in his constituency.
The legislator was reportedly unhappy with the calligraphy on a building funded through the CDF, saying the lettering was so small that residents could not read the names displayed on it. He said the poor workmanship was shocking and defeated the purpose of the project’s signage.
According to Salasya, the problem goes beyond aesthetics. He argued that because voters could not clearly see who was behind the development, his political opponents were taking advantage, claiming he had not delivered for the people who elected him. He said this was hurting his reelection bid.
The MP directed the worker to redo the lettering immediately, with names large enough to be seen by anyone passing the facility. Those who witnessed the exchange described the MP as visibly angry as he stressed the need for quality work and attention to detail on projects carried out in his name.
The incident has quickly sparked debate online and in local circles, with many Kenyans asking why leaders appear so keen to attach their names to projects funded by public money.
Critics argue that CDF projects are paid for by taxpayers and not by individual politicians, so the facilities should not be treated as personal achievements. They say the emphasis on large name boards points to a culture of political self-promotion, where leaders compete for credit instead of focusing on the quality and impact of the work.
Others have defended the MP, saying legislators operate in a competitive political environment where voters often judge performance by what they can see. In their view, visible branding helps residents connect projects to those who initiated them, especially when rivals are quick to claim nothing is being done.
Governance analysts say the matter highlights a wider issue. Many voters, they note, assess leaders by visible development, which pushes politicians to advertise every project, particularly as elections approach.
Some residents said they would prefer that energy go toward ensuring projects are completed on time, meet quality standards and serve communities properly.
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