Rongai MP Mamba Cheror. Photo/Newsflash
By Wesley Koech
Rongai MP Chebor Mamba is facing sharp criticism from the public following the leak of a phone conversation in which he appears to promote ethnic favoritism among Nakuru County residents.
In the leaked call, Mamba was speaking with Aston Rashid, a member of the Nakuru Liquor Licensing Board and a known supporter of Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
The MP questioned recent government appointments, alleging that his community had been sidelined while individuals from other counties secured influential positions within the county leadership.
“We can’t celebrate when people like Wambui, a nominated Member of County Assembly, hold offices yet they come from other counties. Why didn’t they nominate you, Aston—a resident of Rongai Constituency?” Mamba was heard saying.
During the conversation, Mamba criticised Rashid for supporting county leadership, which he accused of siphoning public funds and investing in their home regions instead of developing Nakuru.
“I always see you shouting ‘Kumi Bila Break’ while you struggle in Kampi ya Moto, and people from Kiambu and Nyeri reap big in the county leadership. Don’t let yourself be used,” Mamba stated.
He further lamented that his efforts to secure positions for Rongai residents had been unsuccessful, pointing out that none of the 16 nominated MCAs in Nakuru County came from his preferred candidates.
Read more: Keroche chides Kihika for ‘mocking’ Nakuru residents
In a plea to Rashid, Mamba discouraged him from backing the current leadership, claiming they would eventually abandon him.
“They’ll use you and later disown you. You’ll come crawling back to me. The best option now is to leave them and stop the showdowns,” the legislator advised.
Mamba’s remarks come just days after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) warned political leaders against making divisive statements, urging them to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could inflame ethnic tensions.
“We continue to urge all Kenyans to uphold tolerance and respect, regardless of political or social differences,” the NCIC stated.
The Commission’s warning followed comments made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, February 23, 2025, during a service at AIPCEA Church in Igembe North, Meru County. The NCIC flagged Gachagua’s remarks as potentially harmful to peaceful coexistence among Kenya’s diverse ethnic communities.
Gachagua had accused President William Ruto of orchestrating the removal of individuals from his community, linking the impeachment of his deputy presidency to an alleged plot to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome.
“President Ruto has a plan to shut out Chief Justice Martha Koome. He started with me, then moved on to former Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi. Now, he’s bribed the courts to finish his mission,” Gachagua claimed.
Over recent months, several high-profile leaders, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, have come under fire for making inflammatory public statements, heightening concerns about rising political intolerance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NCIC has reiterated its commitment to monitoring political discourse and taking action against leaders found to be inciting the public or promoting ethnic division.
