Mwingi MP Mulyungi slammed after warning Canadian charity over borehole projects

Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi has come under heavy criticism after lashing out at Canadian charity organisation Life Water Canada over the implementation of borehole projects in his constituency.

The lawmaker accused the NGO of failing to adequately involve residents and his office in its activities.

Mulyungi said development projects targeting communities in Mwingi Central should be implemented through consultation with residents and local leadership to promote transparency, accountability and community ownership.

Speaking at an event in the constituency in a video seen by TNX Africa, Mulyungi directly addressed the organisation, insisting that it engage the community and the area Member of Parliament before undertaking water projects.

Mwingi has a serious water problem,an educated resident of Mwingi wrote letters and got an NGO to sink boreholes,now the MP says unless he is involved they should stop and go back to Canada.
Na kuna residents hapo clapping! MP alaaniwe! pic.twitter.com/d0gomqDp62

— Naomi Waithira (@Naomikibandi) August 25, 2026

“Life Water Canada, I want to tell you that this is Mwingi Central in Kitui County, in Kenya. We do not like corruption. You must involve the community in whatever you do, and you must involve the Member of Parliament, who is Gideon Mulyungi,” he said.

Mulyungi also warned the organisation that it could take back its boreholes if it failed to comply with his demands.

“If you don't do that, you can take your boreholes back to Canada. Hatutaki. Washindwe, washindwe,” he said.

His remarks have since generated mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans questioning the MP's position on water projects intended to benefit residents facing water shortages.

Life Water Canada is a Canadian charity that supports water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in several countries, including Kenya, Haiti, Nigeria and Liberia.

On its official website, the charity touts itself as one that puts people first and keeps them at the centre of everything they do.

"With only a handful of employees in Canada, we seek to empower and equip in-country teams made up of local people. We are committed to keeping our overhead costs low and being ultra transparent in our financial and business practices," it writes.

"We are committed to keeping our overhead costs low and being ultra transparent in our financial and business practices," it adds.

Its model involves empowering local partners, strengthening community capacity and supporting access to clean water and sanitation.

Mulyungi's remarks have drawn attention to how partnerships between development organisations and local communities and leadership are managed, particularly in areas where access to reliable water remains a challenge.