Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali has hinted at returning to the ballot to reclaim the seat.

Washiali, who represented the constituency in the National Assembly for three consecutive terms since 2007, did not vie in 2022 to defend his seat.

His absence on the ballot gave the current MP, Peter Salasya, an easy run to be among the first-timers in the lower legislative house.

He now says he wants to return to parliament after a five-year political hiatus.

Washiali, while speaking in a radio interview, observed that Salasya had deviated from the purpose for which he was elected.

He noted that the youthful lawmaker had resorted to partaking in immoral causes that painted the constituency in a bad light and risked the moral fabric that has held the constituency together for many years.

He said Salaysa had failed his constituents through his conduct in public, characterised by inflammatory remarks, drinking of alcohol and smoking.

Unless he is tamed, the lawmaker would negatively influence the young people looking up to him, Washiali said.

Perhaps as a way to punish him, the former lawmaker said he would return to the ballot to send Salasya home.

"I am a Christian, and I believe that all that is currently happening is per the liking of God. If Salasya continues with his behaviour, I recently saw him smoking in public. If he continues with that behaviour, misleading our children, I want to tell the Mumias East people that I will be on the ballot in 2027. My name will be on the ballot if our MP continues with his immoral ways. He is supposed to be a role model not to contribute to moral decadence in our constituency. As parents, we must be concerned that after we have left, what kind of life will the children we have left behind have," he said.

Source: TUKO.co.ke