Esther Passaris has defended Mumias East MP Peter Salasya's recent comments about climate change, which have generated debate about political leaders' understanding of emerging issues.
The MP made headlines on Monday when he gave an interview on the margins of the ongoing Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, explaining what climate change is and what the three-day conference is all about.
In an interview with NTV, Passaris called Salasya's words relatable, adding the legislator is more concerned with his constituents' pressing issues.
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“I can relate to where he came from. Mumias, the area he represents, are cane farmers and their issues have more to do with the management of institutions rather than the climate effect on their crop. On the other hand, unemployment is a big issue for most of our youth, and when they are dealing with that, they are not able to relate unemployment to climate change,” Passaris said.
“We have to understand that as an MP, the citizens who voted for him are more concerned with maybe housing, medical facilities, bursaries or jobs.” she added.
She advised Kenyans to give Salasya time before assuming he knows the connection, describing him as dedicated to his people.
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In an earlier interview that has left kenyans confused, salasya was asked about his position on climate, and the politician did not know what was going on or why he was at the summit.
In a video shared on social media platforms by the mumias member of parliament, he said that he knows nothing about climate change and was only there to enjoy himself because climate change is not his area of concern.
"I have seen people mock me that I didn't know anything about the summit. It is true, I went to KICC to enjoy myself. Climate is not my area of concern. Right now I am here in Kisumu to look at sugar issues, that is what concerns me, not climate," Salasya said in a video shared on his social media platforms.
