Speaking after accompanying the President to inspect the ongoing construction of the modern Chwele Market in Sirisia Constituency, Wetang'ula took to his official X account to question the impact of Western region leaders in government.
He noted that despite the Head of State appointing numerous figures from the Mulembe nation to key positions—including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries—the visible change on the ground remains insufficient.
"Rampant poverty hinders development and economic progress in our region. I noted that despite the President appointing many leaders from the Mulembe nation to key roles in the Cabinet and as Principal Secretaries, their impact on improving the living standards of our people remains inadequate," Wetang'ula stated.
The Speaker emphasized that residents will judge the administration based on results rather than political appointments.
He linked this directly to the President's political future, asserting that support for the Kenya Kwanza government and Ruto's pursuit of a second term must be earned through visible development.
This sentiment aligns with a recent Facebook post by the Speaker, where he has consistently highlighted development as the primary metric for political legitimacy.
Just weeks ago, Wetang'ula used his social media to declare his own presidential ambitions, stating, "I want to be a president.
I have no intention to walk backward," while emphasizing the need for Western Kenya to unite for stronger bargaining power. His latest remarks shift focus from personal ambition to demanding performance from those already in office.
The Speaker also took a swipe at critics of the administration's privatization efforts, which he argues are breathing life into struggling state enterprises.
During a recent address in Bungoma, he pointed to the resurgence of Nzoia Sugar Company as a prime example of government-backed reforms reversing years of decline.
He dismissed detractors as "prophets of doom," noting that the mill is nearing completion of a major upgrade and that farmers are already benefiting from improved payment systems.
"The lifeblood of this community is tied to Nzoia Sugar, and we can already see the factory coming back to life.
Prompt payments are restoring dignity to our farmers and enabling them to reinvest in agriculture," Wetang'ula had remarked during a Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Kongoli.
His current criticism of Western leaders mirrors concerns previously raised by opposition figures. Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i recently cast doubts on the government's delivery, warning that a second Ruto term would prolong "inconveniences" in sectors like health and education.
However, Wetang'ula's approach differs as he seeks to correct the trajectory from within the system.
At the Chwele Market inspection, Wetang'ula called on the county government to complement national efforts by improving road networks and installing security lighting around the new facility to maximize its economic potential.
He expressed optimism that ongoing projects, once fully realized, could spur the economic transformation needed to secure the region's faith in the current administration.